Cynthia Sargent Mexican Modernist Carpet, 1960s

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A hand-hooked rug by Cynthia Sargent (1922-2006). Handmade in Mexico City during the 1960s. Wool, with natural dyes. Retains the original label from the Riggs-Sargent studio.

4 ft. 2″ Wide x 8 ft Long

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Cynthia Sargent went to Black Mountain College for music, but ended up studying painting under Joseph Albers. She also studied under Robert Motherwell in New York. In 1951, she moved to Mexico City with her husband, architect Wendell Riggs. The next year they were invited to participate in a crafts exhibition organized by Clara Porset that was held at Bellas Artes.

Beginning in the 1960s, the rugs became the main focus of their studio, Riggs-Sargent. Cynthia designed the work and supervised the handhooking. The rugs were extremely popular with decorators and the press described her work as paintings in wool “…which you hang on the floor.”