Eskimo 140×240

Additional information

The Eskimo travel rug, designed by Marjatta Metsovaara in 1958, is a masterpiece of technical engineering and color. Though often associated with her 1960 US catalog appearance, its roots lie in her early experiments with the unique properties of mohair at her weaving mill in Urjala.

Colors of the 1958 Eskimo Rug
True to Metsovaara's philosophy that "no color was ugly," the early Eskimo design used a bold, rhythmic palette:
• Vibrant Contrasts: The design frequently featured high-contrast combinations, such as aniline red (fuchsia), ripe lemon yellow, and grass green.
• Architectural Grid: These colors were organized into a structured, architectural grid. The intersection of different dyed yarns created a secondary layer of "blended" colors, where the fuchsia and yellow would meet to form glowing oranges within the weave.
• Atmospheric Tones: Some variations used cooler, icy tones—whites, grays, and deep blues—intended to evoke the crystalline quality of winter light.

What the Design Expresses
Metsovaara used the Eskimo rug to express a bridge between human comfort and modern architecture:
• Softening Modernism: She wanted her textiles to bring warmth and "soul" to the clean, sometimes cold lines of mid-century modern furniture and glass-heavy architecture.
• Technical Certainty: The name and design expressed her "deep knowledge of fabrics," aiming for a product that was both a "glorious appearance" and a piece of high-performance technical engineering.
• The "Joy of Color": At a time when interiors were often muted, Metsovaara wanted to express a fearless, vibrant optimism through her "exotic" color scales.

Fulfillment in Modern Interiors
A new production of the Eskimo design, enhanced with substantially more mohair and a larger surface area, would fulfill current interior needs as a "true architectural masterpiece":
• Voluminous Lightness: By using a higher percentage of long-fiber mohair, the blanket becomes a "featherweight" luxury. In modern open-plan homes, this creates a translucent, shimmering effect that interacts with natural light, much like a piece of stained glass.
• Spatial Focal Point: A larger scale (moving from a travel rug to a full 140x240 cm throw) allows the architectural grid to function as a visual anchor in a room, matching the proportions of contemporary oversized sofas and statement furniture.
• Sensory Wellness: Today's interiors prioritize "tactile luxury". A version with more mohair provides an unmatched "fur-like" softness that fulfills the modern desire for domestic comfort and emotional warmth.

This beautiful throw blanket, finished with Metsovaara’s signature knotted fringes, offers you sensory immersion, silk-like luster, weightless warmth, and an elegant drape that enhances both modern and generously proportioned living spaces. At newly built state-of-the-art combing and spinning facilities, these natural fibers are transformed into unique variations of yarns. Woven in the original Eskimo pattern from 1958, the fabric is brushed to create a classic, fluffy form. All this means that a throw blanket from Metsovaara not only adorns any room but also provides high comfort and a genuine sense of craftsmanship and heritage.

With today’s improved production methods, the material is more reliable and resistant to washing.

BODY SIZE:
140 cm x 210 cm

FULL SIZE:
with Metsovaara fringes 140 cm x 240 cm

SLOW MACHINE WOVEN FABRIC

MAIN MATERIAL: 72% Mohair / 28% Pure New Wool
WEIGHT: 280 g/m²
MATERIAL WEIGHT: approx. 941 g

Fluff up the travel rug after use. Brush it lightly against the pile from time to time. Dry cleaning is recommended. Hand wash or machine wash with natural detergent, with no spinning at washing and drying and no hanging at drying.