Watercolor Design for a Celadon Rug w/ X'd Tennis Racquets 1970 by George Wells (1906–1988)
$750
Art Sz: 13 3/4"H x 11"W
Board Sz: 20"H x 15"W
Watercolor painting on board by artist George Wells, know as the "Rug Maker To The Stars." This medium-sized piece features a design for a rug with a tennis theme.
Signed by the artist and produced in 1970 in New York, USA, this handmade piece is a personalized creation specifically for Mrs. Merrill Jr, possibly for a bar at a tennis court in Cherry wood, Locust Valley, NY.
George Wells (1906–1988) was a master craftsman and visionary designer renowned as the "rug maker to the stars" for his custom hand-hooked pictorial and abstract rugs.
Biography and Career: Before entering the textile arts full-time, Wells worked in retail designing store interiors, merchandise, and window displays.
The Ruggery: He had been hooking rugs as an artistic pursuit before purchasing The Ruggery in Glen Head, Long Island, New York, in 1956.
Design Philosophy: Wells revolutionized traditional rug hooking by introducing bold, abstract designs and intricate pictorial scenes, famously stating that he enjoyed “making untraditional designs for traditional houses”. He compared his craft to stage design, noting that a rug had to anchor a room and suit the "characters" living within it.
High-Profile Clientele: Over a 32-year career, his custom creations adorned the homes of prominent figures and celebrities, including Audrey Hepburn, the Rockefellers, the Du Ponts, and Richard Rodgers.