Antique Aubusson carpet (France) – 187

Description

Antique Aubusson carpet (France)

Period: mid-19th century
Dimensions: cm 462 x 393

Aubusson carpets are named after the small town in central France from which they originate, which has been a major carpet-making and tapestry-making centre since the 16th century. Carpet-making, in particular, enjoyed a golden age there in the 17th century
The distinctive weave that is the hallmark of Aubusson carpets – known as “point plat” (flat point) – derives from the craft of tapestry-making. Since they were woven like tapestries, these carpets were pileless. The various parts of the decorative pattern were woven individually and then joined together with a single background.
The decorations comprised flowers and other emblems from the natural world, often enriched with allegorical motifs in the neo-classical style. The subdued colours reprised the decoration of the vaulted ceilings of elite drawing rooms. It was at this time that carpets became an important part of interior design and were specifically intended to cover the entire floor, thus losing the key feature of oriental carpets, which was their portability.
The figurative artwork in this specimen is outstanding. A large medallion occupies the entire surface, giving way to the black border that delimits it, in the way a frame surrounds a painting, accentuating its elegance.
An exceptionally rare vine-patterned halo surrounds the central field, which is adorned with a floral composition on a white background.
Exquisite bouquets of roses embellish the four corner-motifs, while fine golden scrolls delimit the border.