Aubusson

Aubusson, in the Limousin region of central France, was a weaving center for tapestries and carpets from at least the fourteenth century. The industry may well have been prompted by the arrival of Flemish weavers at this time. This Aubusson piece reflects the elegance and splendor of Imperial France. A grand garland composed of floral and vegetal tendrils painted in blues, white, and rose is drawn against an olive green ground surrounding a central oval medallion. Within this central sphere twelve olive-leaf wreaths punctuated by single rosettes circle a more elaborate floral garland with a central architectural rosette.