Helen Fette was an American missionary and entrepreneur who significantly influenced art deco Chinese rug design and production in the early 20th century. Arriving in Beijing in 1919 with her husband, Franklin, she initially taught at the Methodist Mission School. To support famine relief efforts, she began selling rugs, which sparked her interest in the rug-making industry.
In the early 1920s, Fette partnered with Chinese rug manufacturer Li Meng Shu to establish the Fette-Li Rug Company in Beijing and Tianjin. Their collaboration combined traditional Chinese craftsmanship with innovative designs, including Art Deco elements, catering to Western tastes. The company became one of the largest rug exporters of the period, employing over 2,500 workers at its peak.
Fette's background in chemistry enabled her to develop new dyeing techniques, introducing vibrant color palettes that departed from traditional Chinese rugs. She also implemented modern production methods and improved labor conditions, providing sanitary living quarters, health clinics, and educational opportunities for her workers—innovations that were groundbreaking in China at the time.
The Fette-Li rugs are noted for their supple feel, resulting from thinner cotton warps, and their distinctive designs that blend Eastern and Western aesthetics. The company thrived until the late 1930s when geopolitical tensions and the onset of World War II disrupted production. The business was eventually dissolved in 1948 following the Communist takeover of Beijing.
Helen Fette's legacy endures through the unique, antique art deco Chinese rugs she helped create, which remain sought after by collectors and enthusiasts for their quality, amazing colors, and historical significance.