This piece of tapestry is a perfect example of one of the workshops of Aubusson, historically one of France’s great centres of tapestry. Aubusson was not the manufacturer - it is a small town in the Creuse which was for centuries (and still is) the heart of a closely-guarded cartel of a number of individual tapestry workshops. Gaining a place in this cartel meant that a workshop was both conforming to a very high standard, and was now able to add the name Aubusson to its output. Aubusson tapestry is now a UNESCO-protected textile art-form.
Aubusson tapestries were and are worked on a horizontal loom, and are worked from the back. They are characteristically very finely woven, and often feature a lot of nuance and dégradé details in their imagery. This piece shows all of these characteristics.
This piece was almost certainly made to upholster the seat of a wooden Louis XV armchair, and it matches with the smaller piece I also have listed, which would have been tone of the armrests. At some point, probably in the mid-to-late 20th century, someone has edged and backed this with a contemporary edging and fabric - this has been done very competently by hand and could easily be undone, but it has also protected this piece from damage, and, despite being at least 90-110 years old, this piece is perfect. It measures 52×54cm. I am including with this piece four curtain tie-backs which were cut from the background and were obviously fashioned into tiebacks at the same time that this piece was backed - perhaps the final purchaser can find a use for them. I’ve included a photo of these tie-backs.
To purchase, please message me via the contact form and please include the title of the piece as it doesn’t automatically transfer with the message.
This piece of tapestry is a perfect example of one of the workshops of Aubusson, historically one of France’s great centres of tapestry. Aubusson was not the manufacturer - it is a small town in the Creuse which was for centuries (and still is) the heart of a closely-guarded cartel of a number of individual tapestry workshops. Gaining a place in this cartel meant that a workshop was both conforming to a very high standard, and was now able to add the name Aubusson to its output. Aubusson tapestry is now a UNESCO-protected textile art-form.
Aubusson tapestries were and are worked on a horizontal loom, and are worked from the back. They are characteristically very finely woven, and often feature a lot of nuance and dégradé details in their imagery. This piece shows all of these characteristics.
This piece was almost certainly made to upholster the seat of a wooden Louis XV armchair, and it matches with the smaller piece I also have listed, which would have been tone of the armrests. At some point, probably in the mid-to-late 20th century, someone has edged and backed this with a contemporary edging and fabric - this has been done very competently by hand and could easily be undone, but it has also protected this piece from damage, and, despite being at least 90-110 years old, this piece is perfect. It measures 52×54cm. I am including with this piece four curtain tie-backs which were cut from the background and were obviously fashioned into tiebacks at the same time that this piece was backed - perhaps the final purchaser can find a use for them. I’ve included a photo of these tie-backs.
To purchase, please message me via the contact form and please include the title of the piece as it doesn’t automatically transfer with the message.
