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Lot Essay
The weave of the present carpet includes a feature normally thought to be one of the identifying features of Savonnerie carpets: the use of a dark brown warp every tenth warp. This made it easier for the weaver to work out when comparing the cartoon to the carpet where on the design he had reached. This carpet also has the fineness of weave found on Savonnerie carpets of the period, (see lot 161 in this sale), rather than the more usual finesse seen for example in lot 160 in this sale. Its design however is freer than those of the Savonnerie, with a freshness that is more typical of Aubusson. This is coupled with a slight angularity of execution very comparable to that of an Aubusson carpet in the Musée Nissim de Camondo, Paris (S. Sherrill, Carpets and Rugs of Europe and America, New York, London and Paris, 1995, pl.110, p.102).
This period was a golden era for the new workshops at Aubusson. In a market where the commissioning of pile carpets had for ages been the preserve of the royal court, Aubusson gave a new outlet. Within ten years of its foundation in 1746, the factory at Aubusson was supplying carpets for export to numerous foreign countries including America which was yet to achieve its independance (M. Jarry: The Carpets of Aubusson, Leigh-on-Sea, 1969, p.25). At the same time the workshops of Aubusson also enjoyed Royal patronage; in 1786 twenty-one Aubusson carpets were recorded in the royal apartments at Versailles. While priced lower than the Savonnerie carpets, those from Aubusson were particularly noted for their floral decoration.
This period was a golden era for the new workshops at Aubusson. In a market where the commissioning of pile carpets had for ages been the preserve of the royal court, Aubusson gave a new outlet. Within ten years of its foundation in 1746, the factory at Aubusson was supplying carpets for export to numerous foreign countries including America which was yet to achieve its independance (M. Jarry: The Carpets of Aubusson, Leigh-on-Sea, 1969, p.25). At the same time the workshops of Aubusson also enjoyed Royal patronage; in 1786 twenty-one Aubusson carpets were recorded in the royal apartments at Versailles. While priced lower than the Savonnerie carpets, those from Aubusson were particularly noted for their floral decoration.