Modern vs contemporary rugs

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Where they overlap

Merriam-Webster gives "modern" as a synonym for contemporary in the sense "marked by characteristics of the present period." It says that in everyday use contemporary generally means simply "modern" or "new". That is why both words appear on the same rugs.

Where they part

Contemporary always points to the present period. Modern can also point back to a movement in design history. A rug described as modern may be pointing to that earlier movement.

The Bauhaus weaving workshop

Cooper Hewitt, the Smithsonian Design Museum, says the Bauhaus was a school founded in 1919 by the German architect Walter Gropius. It says: "The mission of the Bauhaus was to integrate art, design, and craft through a curriculum that involved training in specialized workshops."

A weaver at the Bauhaus

Cooper Hewitt says Gunta Stölzl's textiles "were known for their abstract, asymmetrical compositions, complex patterns, innovative use of color, and experimentation with unconventional materials such as cellophane."

From hand looms to repeat production

Cooper Hewitt says Stölzl learned the Jacquard loom, which raised and lowered the warp using punch cards encoded with the design. It says she saw that multiple versions of the same design could be produced quickly on the new looms.

Mid-century modern, as a label

Mid-century modern is a label for design from the middle of the 20th century. We have no source that sets its exact years or rules, so we do not give any.

Sources: Merriam-Webster, contemporary; Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, Reorientation and Replication.

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