This small 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 little piece shows all of these characteristics.
This little piece was almost certainly made to be one of the arm-rests of a wooden Louis XV armchair, and it matches with the larger piece I also have listed, which would have been the seat. 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 little piece is perfect. It measures 23cm high and 18cm wide.
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 small 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 little piece shows all of these characteristics.
This little piece was almost certainly made to be one of the arm-rests of a wooden Louis XV armchair, and it matches with the larger piece I also have listed, which would have been the seat. 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 little piece is perfect. It measures 23cm high and 18cm wide.
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.
