Vintage Polish Woven Tapestry By Maria Janowska For Wielkopolska Spółdzielnia Pracy Przemysłu Artystycznego In Poznań, 1970s

The object where Polish design meets the language of applied art.

"Lewki" is an original tapestry designed by Maria Janowska for the Wielkopolska Spółdzielnia Pracy Przemysłu Artystycznego in Poznań in the 1970s. The hand-woven composition depicts nine stylized lion silhouettes, scattered against a deep, tobacco-brown background. The juxtaposition of ochre, orange, red, green, and natural wool tones lends the piece a refinement and graphic power characteristic of Polish modernism of the 1960s and 1970s. The simplified, almost pixelated form evokes both traditional folk art and the modern formal explorations of contemporary Polish design. Natural wool, woven on a cotton warp, was used in its production, ensuring the fabric's high durability.

This object defies simple division into decoration and artwork. Originally, it could function as both a rug and a textile wall hanging. Today, in a properly designed interior, its proper place seems to be primarily on the wall, as a large-scale artistic accent that structures space much like a painting or graphic.

The nine lions are treated almost like graphic symbols: simplified, slightly anthropomorphic silhouettes possess humor, decorativeness, and a certain surrealist ambiguity. Their repetition creates rhythm, while their irregular arrangement lends the composition a lightness.

It is this balance, geometric rigor and craftsmanship, that determines the object's contemporary appeal. The tapestry retains the materiality of a handmade object: the visible structure of the weave, the nuances of color, and the characteristic softness of the woolen surface.

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

"Lewki" is part of an exceptionally interesting chapter in the history of Polish design. In post-war Poland, textile art became one of the fields in which designers could freely experiment with color, rhythm, and abstraction. The development of this scene was strongly linked to the activities of Cepelia and its cooperatives, which combined traditional craft techniques with the language of contemporary design.

Maria Janowska was one of the artists who elevated Polish functional textiles to the level of collectible design. Born in Warsaw in 1929, she studied from 1947 to 1951 at the Faculty of Textiles of the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. from 1953, she collaborated with Cepelia, creating kilims and tapestries. Her works have received numerous awards, including a gold medal at the Munich Fair in 1962 and a gold medal at the Warsaw exhibition "Visual Artists in the Cepelia Circle" in 1973.

In this context, "Lewki" is more than just a vintage tapestry. It exemplifies the dialogue between art, craft, and design characteristic of Polish modernism, particularly prized today in the collector's market. Janowska's works are currently appearing in the international vintage design circuit. "Lewki" is a proposition for collectors seeking not only decoration but also an object with a history. It combines the recognizable language of Polish design of the 1970s, the original work of one of Poland's most important textile designers, and the rare materiality of hand-woven form.

This is precisely why "Lewki" can function today not as a memento of a bygone era, but as a fully-fledged collector's item, incorporating Polish design history into the current language of contemporary interiors.

The tapestry is in original vintage condition. It has signs of wear related to age. The fringes are worn in places. Small tear in the lower right corner. It will be professionally cleaned before shipping and will be ready for use.

The colors of the products shown in the photos may differ slightly from the actual ones. This is due to individual monitor settings and lighting conditions – the photos were taken in artificial light, which may affect the perception of colors. However, we strive to ensure that the photos reflect the actual appearance of the product as faithfully as possible. The offer may include photos of item in the living space, but these are for illustrative purposes only.

Design Period 1970 to 1979
Production Period 1970 to 1979
Identifying Marks This piece has an attribution mark
Style Vintage, Mid-Century, Hand-Crafted, Modernist
Width 162 cm
Depth 102 cm
Height 1 cm

Condition report:

Good — This vintage/antique item may have some wear such as scratches and other signs of ageing.
Restoration and Damage Details
Light wear consistent with age and use, Patina consistent with age and use, The fringes are worn in places. Small tear in the lower right corner