A French Empire period Aubusson carpet,
Handknotted, circa 1800.
Length: 18ft. 8in. (570cm)
Width: 17ft. (520cm)
In 1665, Colbert, founder of the Royal Manufactories of the Gobelins and the Savonnerie, granted the official charter to the Aubusson workshops and had the overall title of ‘Royal Manufactory’ extended to them.When Aubusson started to make carpets in 1743, the first production was in the oriental style, ‘tapis turc or persane’. With the demand at the Savonnerie factory exceeding supply new designs were sent to Aubusson in the French style. Louis XV sent Pierre-Josse Perrot (active 1724-1750), the designer of the Savonnerie carpets supplied to the Great Hall of the Louvre, together with three carpets in the French style, to give new designs. Many commissions followed and carpets were supplied to: the Chateau de Versailles, Chateau de Choisy and Madame de Pompadour.
With the coming of the Empire in 1804, a further lease of life to the Aubusson workshops and orders for the new ‘Empire’ style kept the workshops active. Notable amongst the designs were those of Jacques-Louis de Saint Ange who supplied the designs to carpets for Versailles, Chataeu de Compiegne, Fontain-bleau and Tuileries Palace. After the collapse of the Empire, Louis XVIII ordered carpets from Aubusson, for the Elysee Palace, most of the models after designs by Saint Ange. The Mobilier National has in their collection Aubusson carpets designed by Saint Ange.
The present carpet which is in the exceptional original condition with fresh colours, indicates that it has had little use. The design has similatities to those of Jacques-Louis de la Hamayde de Saint-ange. Most carpets of this period have borders removed, much wear or large areas of repair, often fading. The border of ‘tete de negre’ (brown color) is quite rare. The central design which is more elaborate than usual, covers the whole field, normally Aubusson carpets of this period tend to have plain background with vases/bunches of flowers in the corners and narrow borders.
Provenance: A titled French family.
Literature: M.Jarry, The Carpets of Aubusson. F. Lewis, 1969.
P.Verlet, The James A. De Rothschild Collection at Waddesdon Manor, National Trust, 1982.
