The Sourcing & Provenance of Wol Society’s Natural Sheepskin Rugs, Through the Eyes of an Artist
An Artist’s Approach to Natural Materials
Sabine Maes grew up among the sheep on her aunt and uncle’s farm in Belgium, learning to appreciate the wild and unique beauty of each animal. Sabine’s background as a fine artist is grounded in the celebration of the natural world, and she brings that same philosophy to her work composing natural sheepskin rugs. Through Wol Society, Sabine focuses her artist’s eye on a medium she’s always felt deeply connected to: wool.
Sabine values the beauty of slow design, the character of natural materials, and the durability of exceptionally handcrafted pieces. Each piece is composed in her Belgian atelier with sheepskins sourced from pasture-raised flocks. They’re made to be touched, walked on, and lived with. Unlike faux sheepskin rugs, natural sheepskin rugs are supremely resilient, each a living piece made to last.
The Sourcing Trips: A Journey Across Europe
Sabine has traveled across Europe and beyond to source her sheepskins, each one from pasture-raised flocks. Every location offers a different experience and variety of materials to inspire the artist’s eye. For example, on her trips to Poland, Sabine is able to source Australian sheepskins, which aren’t available in other European locations. Every piece Sabine creates has its own story, which contributes to each sheepskin rug’s unique form.
From the Pasture
Throughout Iceland and other parts of Europe, sheep farming has been a critical part of the local economy for centuries. Many farmers still use traditional practices to raise sheep humanely and sustainably, just as Sabine’s own family did on the farm where she spent her childhood.
Animals are often raised on family farms where they’re allowed to roam year-round in free-flowing, open pastures. Hides are ultimately collected as by-products of the meat industry, allowing Sabine the opportunity to give those materials new life through the sculptural sheepskin rugs she creates in her Belgian atelier.
Provenance Spotlight: Icelandic Sheepskin
Since approximately the 9th century when Vikings brought them to the island, sheep have been integral to Iceland’s way of life and cultural heritage, as raising sheep for meat and wool has allowed generations of Icelanders to survive the nation’s harsh winters. There is only one breed of Icelandic sheep, which are hardy and well-adapted to their climate. They roam freely in the highlands during warm summers, grazing on grass and berries, and then are herded back to their farms during fall, ahead of the cold winters.
Icelandic sheepskin is as rugged as the landscape: long, untamed, and voluminous. The texture is coarse but lies flat, creating a fluffy, airy effect that gives Icelandic sheepskin rugs a smooth and cloudlike effect. The color palette is primarily creamy shades of white, though Icelandic sheepskin rugs may also be found in darker grey and brown tones.
Provenance Spotlight: Sheepskin from Gotland
Gotland feels magical. As Sweden’s largest island, it’s known for its well-preserved Viking history and a coastline that alternates between soft sandy beaches, rugged cliffs, and dramatic rocky pillars. Sheep farming on Gotland dates back more than 1,000 years to the Vikings. The island enjoys a largely mild climate and has a flat landscape, allowing sheep to roam freely and comfortably in green pastures.
The island is home to two sheep breeds, both of which are highly prized for their exceptional wool. Gute sheep are native to Gotland and are known for their distinctive curled horns. Gute wool can be straight, wavy, or slightly curled, with coarse fibers and softer undertones that give it Nordic, primitive character. Colors range from black to silvery grey to creamy white.
Gotland sheep were bred from Gutes crossed with Russian breeds that Vikings brought back from their travels. Gotland sheepskin is famed for its dense, silky, silvery-grey curls. The wool is soft and lustrous, and each pelt is uniquely beautiful because of its natural, clearly defined coils, and its variations in color and curl pattern. Gotland sheepskin rugs are coveted for their exclusiveness, and the textile is often associated with sophisticated Scandinavian design. Genuine curly sheepskin rugs made from Gotland pelts are irresistibly soft to the touch.
The Story Behind Every Rug
Every sheep has a story. Each animal's markings, texture, curl pattern, and color variation are unique. Its breed, origin, and climate shape the appearance and tactility of its wool.
Sabine celebrates the uniqueness and story of each piece. She sources pelts directly from European sheep farmers, selecting pieces with character and exceptional quality to bring back to her Belgian atelier. Every rug is entirely composed by Sabine and hand-stitched by local artisans in Belgium, using natural materials to create sustainable sheepskin rugs that can last for decades while retaining their appearance and texture.
Wol Society pieces are functional, artist-composed, ethical sheepskin rugs that double as soft sculpture pieces, created to transform a room's atmosphere.
Provenance Matters
Wol Society’s natural sheepskin floor coverings are composed by artist Sabine Maes from premium natural materials, sourced directly from European sheep farmers. Through her artist’s eye and deep connection to the wool, Sabine imbues every Wol Society rug with its own unique character.
Every Wol Society living piece is one of a kind, meaning there’s a perfect floor covering for every project. Whether it’s available in our ready-to-ship collection or a custom-commissioned piece created in collaboration with Sabine, artisan-made sheepskin rugs elevate a room’s atmosphere in a way no other textile can. Join us as a trade partner to place a Wol Society sheepskin rug in your next project.