Rag Carpet, 1895-1916

The heyday of rag carpet production in the U.S. was from about 1860 to 1900. From the 1880s onward, factory-made rag carpeting was sold by the yard by retailers or by mail order. Competition from factory-woven goods led to a decline of home-made rag carpeting by 1900. Although in remarkably good condition, it is unclear if this example is home or factory made.