a Finnish long pile ryijy by Kirsti Ilvessalo (1920 – 2019), the design entitled “Metsässä-palaa” (or in English; ‘Burning in the forest’). Best known for her ryijy, some of which appear in several museums (including the Victoria and Albert Museum, London and the National Museum in Stockholm), she was also a leader in the Friends of Finnish Handicraft Association during the period 1947 to 1952, and subsequently opened her own textile studio. She also taught textile composition at the same university she was educated at, that is the Aalto-yliopiston Taiteiden ja Suunnittelun Korkeakoulu (or in English; Alto University, School of Art and Design) in Helsinki from 1947–1960. For her ryijy Ilvessalo won the Gold Medal at the Triennale di Milano in both 1951 and 1960, as well as the Grand Prix prize in 1954. The piece offered here is in very good condition and is circa 1955. Wool warp and weft, size 156cm/61.5in x 109cm/43in