A Small Collection of Rugs

First up is a Floral Hearth rug hooked mid 19th century and the private collection of Dan Wagoner.   The rug measures 33 x 66. 

When I find rugs on auction sites they sometimes mention the name of the collector or the estate name from which the rug came.  But this is the first time the auction house provided a bio of the owner.  So before I continue with other rugs from his collection thought you'd like to know more about him.  

Dan Wagoner was born in Springfield, West Virginia when the population at the time was 150.  He is one of the country's most celebrated modern dancers and choreographers of the second half of the 20th century. He started life far from the big stage in rural West Virginia, born in Springfield with a population of 150 at the time.

Wagoner was introduced to the performing arts through his experiences in grade school.  Then as a student at WV University he discovered modern dance and began taking classes.  Here is a young Dan Wagoner as he dances with Liz Walton.

After serving in the Army Medical Corps at Walter Reed Hospital Wagoner moved to New York to pursue a dance Career and eventually established his own studio and troupe which lasted for 25 years.

In 1970 Wagoner purchased the 1789 Kurkendall House, an important stone home on the South Branch of the Potomac River near Romney, WV and with the help of his nephew began a laborious restoration.  With no electricity or running water Wagoner made that his vacation home away from the hustle bustle of city life. In that stone house Dan was able to display his collection of painted furniture, folk art and textiles. 

One such rug is this Central Octagon design, 23 x 38, with a hooked cartouche with Albert on one side and Hollowell on the other.  Hooked late 19 early 20th century.  

Although difficult to see is "Albert".

And below is "Hollowell".

The braided edge folk art rug incorporates hour glasses, triangles, crescents & fleurets.  Hooked mid 19th century. 

General Washington hooked rug circa 1920.  It measures 35.5 x 47.5 and this is the front.

Although a little worse for wear, the color doesn't seem to have faded a lot, here is a view of the back.

Doubt these are the only rugs Dan owned but they were the only ones I've found so far on an auction web site.  Hope you enjoyed the mini show.

Saundra

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