Antique Rare Metallic Threads French Aubusson Carpet by the Sallandrouze Family

Details

Description

Western Central France
6’6” x 6’9” (1.98 x 2.05m)
Circa 1830s Louis Philippe period
Warp: wool, medium brown, 15 per … Read more Western Central France
6’6” x 6’9” (1.98 x 2.05m)
Circa 1830s Louis Philippe period
Warp: wool, medium brown, 15 per inch
Pattern Weft: wool or gilt metal thread
This extremely finely woven and precisely executed wall or table tapestry
displays a
complex cartouche - lattice pattern.
The multi toned panels are centered by floriated quatrefoils or other
arabesque
medallions.
There is no unifying field color. The narrow border of partial guilloches
moves the eye
around the rug.
The metal thread has tarnished to a brown tone on the front from an
originally brighter
gold still visible on the verso.
It was produced by gilding very thin copper sheet, cutting it into thin strips
and winding
it around a silk core.
The precision of this process and its end result in this rug is mind- boggling.
The pattern is taken from contemporary velvet textiles with the repeat
enlarged to about
two feet by four feet.
The design is vaguely Islamic/Moorish in style, and hence a “Spanish”
character has
been assigned to this type of Aubusson.

The truly exemplary condition indicates a wall or table use, but since there
are no stains
or pressure marks from the latter use, we may assume that it was always
hung.
The slight color mellowing indicates a period of gentle exposure.
A few other pieces of this Fine weave, wide color scheme and complex
all-over design are
known, and most of them, as here, are relatively small. See less