ORIENTAL RUGS IN TORONTO, 1880-1940

A web exhibit curated by Neil Brochu

One of the most common decorative features in Toronto homes between about 1880 and 1940 was the Oriental carpet. Spadina, Toronto's grand historic house museum, displays an interesting collection of such carpets. Our web exhibit, Romance Underfoot, explores these rugs and their place within the larger context of Torontonians' fascination with these colourful and popular artefacts. In addition to experiencing them 'virtually' here, we invite you to visit Spadina, operated as a historic site by the City of Toronto, to see these great objects in their 'real' environment.

Explore Romance Underfoot:

• Oriental Rugs in Toronto, 1880-1940
• The Austins at Spadina
• Decorating Trends, 1880s-90s
• Turn-of-the-Century Refinement
• Competitors in the Carpet Trade
• Modern vs Traditional Carpeting
• Final Thoughts
• Visit Spadina

top