At the end of the reign of Louis XVI the manufacturing centres of Aubusson and its satellite Felletin had fallen on very bad times. In year II of the revolution it was noted that the 2,400 male and female workers had been allowed to sink into the direst poverty, their clothes torn and filthy, asking for alms from all who passed by. Business had completely to be restarted with the help of the new Directoire government, beginning about six years later, which rapidly grew during the Empire period.

The present carpet is typical of the early years of this revival. It is simply conceived and relatively loosely woven, thereby creating an uncluttered design very much in harmony with the decorative ideal of today. The birds in the corner roundels exemplify this. They presage the large swans of the fully fledged Empire style, but lack their power and ostentation.