Antique French Aubusson Wool Rug With Medallion by Rug & Kilim, 1890-1899

Details

Description

Handwoven in premium wool and originating circa 1890-1899, this 11x13 antique French Aubusson rug emerges from the esteemed collections of … Read more Handwoven in premium wool and originating circa 1890-1899, this 11x13 antique French Aubusson rug emerges from the esteemed collections of Y&B Bolour. The tapestry-woven textile features a Louis XVI florette central medallion enveloped by sweeping botanical garlands, all rendered in a highly refined pastel palette of soft pinks, muted greens, and pale golds.

On the Design:

Originating from the legendary tapestry looms of central France, this 1890s masterwork exemplifies the Belle Époque revival of Louis XVI aesthetics. Historically, the Louis XVI style favored the geometric discipline of newly discovered Roman antiquity paired with a highly romanticized devotion to nature. This philosophy is perfectly captured in the rug's monumental circular medallion, which deliberately imposes Enlightenment-era symmetry onto the soft cream canvas. At its core, delicately articulated florettes unfold within concentric geometric rings. Championed by the royal court and inspired by Marie Antoinette's pastoral retreats, these florettes symbolized a tamed, orderly nature—wild blooms perfectly contained within strict architectural roundels.

Branching gracefully from this geometric epicenter, an airy network of sweeping acanthus leaves, romantic floral garlands, and stylized C-scrolls floats across the ground. The corner spandrels are elegantly defined by these robust botanical scrolls, cradling the central medallion to create a sophisticated sense of movement. The transition from the animated field to the outer boundary is managed with strict architectural discipline. A precision-woven geometric guard band—reminiscent of classical dentil molding or a simplified Greek key—tightly frames the interior in alternating pink and gold tones. This structured enclosure is immediately followed by a broad, solid antique pink main border that provides a unified, grounding edge to the intricate ornamental flourish within. The accompanying book, A Banquet of Wonders: Delighting in the World by Benjamin Loyauté (ed.), is part of Volumes by Rug & Kilim. The book (SKU - B002) can be acquired independently through our bookstore.

Condition:

This antique French Aubusson rug enjoys good condition for its age and origin. See less