Although the production of authentic Aubusson textiles and other furniture is based in Aubusson, France, and at just a handful of small weaving workshops in nearby Felletin, the exceptionally detailed tapestries are renowned throughout the world as wall hangings, carpets and upholstery for a range of seating including sofas and armchairs.
Aubusson’s centuries-old tapestry production industry was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009 by UNESCO, affirming its importance in European decorative arts. The complex and labor-intensive process of weaving images involves hand-dyed wool to achieve specific hues, giving landscapes, scenes and floral patterns a distinctive realism.
Dating back at least to the 16th century, the Aubusson style has changed over time, with early work influenced by Turkish rugs that were popular with the European elite before the rise of the Italian Renaissance with its natural motifs. In 1665, the Aubusson workshops received the Manufacture Royale title, raising their visibility in France and beyond during the 17th century, with many authentic Aubusson tapestries produced for royal palaces and other prominent residences.
In the 18th century, the design of Aubusson textiles reflected the fad for chinoiserie. During the Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th century, artisans from Aubusson were involved with the Old Windsor Tapestry Manufactory in England. In the 20th century, now-iconic artists such as Alexander Calder and Joan Miró worked with Aubusson weavers on pieces.
The Cité Internationale de la Tapisserie complex, which features a museum, opened in 2016 in Aubusson to recognize and preserve this heritage.
Find a collection of authentic Aubusson rugs and carpets, pillows, wall decorations and other furniture on 1stDibs.
French Aubusson Painting Framed with an 18th Century French Fragment
By Interi
Located in Columbia, SC
18th century French Aubusson floral painting framed with an 18th century French fragment. The oil painting original comes from France and is painted with a Aubusson-tapestry floral ...
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Pair of French 18th Century Green Floral Aubusson Cartoon Mirrors
By Interi
Located in Columbia, SC
Pair of 18th century French Aubusson cartoon green floral mirrors. The french mirrors are Aubusson tapestry cartoon mirrors painted in gouache on pap...
Mirror, Wood, Paint, Paper
$850
H 5.75 in W 4.5 in D 0.25 in
19th-Century Lover's Eye Fragment with Floral Headdress in an Ebonized Frame
Located in New York, NY
19th-Century Lover's Eye Fragment with Floral Headdress in an Ebonized Frame A captivating Lover's Eye fragment created from a carefully preserved section of an original 19th-centur...
Canvas, Wood
$2,600 / set
H 0.75 in W 9.25 in D 10.75 in
Pair of 18th Century French Genre Paintings in Carved Gilt Frames
By Niklas Lavreince
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a wall, study, or intimate vignette with this charming pair of antique French genre paintings, created circa 1770. Executed on board and set in their original carved giltwoo...
Giltwood
19th-Century Hand Study Fragment in an Ebonized Frame
Located in New York, NY
19th-Century Hand Study Fragment in an Ebonized Frame A compelling painted fragment created from an original 19th-century portrait, depicting the sitter's elegantly modeled hand ado...
Wood, Paint
$899Sale Price|35% Off
H 10 in W 15 in D 4 in
Antique Late 18th Century French Aubusson Floral Tapestry Pillow Cushion
Located in New York, NY
This is absolutely lovely antique late 18th century French Aubusson Tapestry pillow with flowers. It measures: 10 x 15 inches. Excellent condition. Complimentary Shipping!
Tapestry, Wool, Silk
Fête Champêtre, 18th Century Rococo Reverse Glass Painting, Framed
Located in South Paris, ME
This charming reverse glass painting is titled "Painting" and part of a set with another subject titled "Architecture". The scene depicted is a fête champêtre or outdoor party, a pop...
Glass, Hardwood, Paint
French 18th Century Giltwood Framed Still Life Painting
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A lovely 18th-century framed French still life painting dripping with Rococo style was once above a large mirror making a trumeau. It most likely was taken from a room surrounded in ...
Gold Leaf
$2,200 / set
H 13.5 in W 20.5 in D 3.25 in
Pair of 18th Century French Pastoral Oil Paintings in Original Gilt Frames
Located in Dallas, TX
This refined pair of 18th-century French pastoral pendant paintings depicts idyllic rural scenes populated by figures engaged in quiet moments of daily life. Painted in oil on canvas...
Giltwood, Canvas
$58,950Sale Price / set|52% Off
H 70 in W 51.5 in D 1.5 in
Pair French 18th-19th Century Chinoiserie Circle of Jean B. Pillement
By Jean-Baptiste Pillement
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine pair of French 18th-19th century whimsical rococo style chinoiserie oil on canvas, circle of Jean-Baptiste Pillement. (French, 1728-1808). One oil painting depicting an outdoor patio scene of a standing young mother, holding a fan, with her three young children playing with a horse-toy, a parrot and a cat, all surrounded by flowers, plants, trees, planters and flanked by a dragon fountain...
Canvas, Giltwood
French 18th Century Tapestry Fragment, Aubusson Style, Hand-Woven
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This vibrant botanical theme tapestry fragment comes from 18th century France, at the peak of the Verdure tradition. Two narrow panels were hand-stitched together as one hanging, wit...
Fabric, Textile, Tapestry, Wool
$1,359
H 18.9 in W 15 in D 1.2 in
18th Century French Oil Paintings, Religious Devotional, Signed Pair
Located in Lincoln, GB
Fine Pair of 18th Century French Religious Devotional Oils This exquisite pair of oil on canvas paintings explores the central themes of divine intercession and monastic devotion. T...
Paint
18th Century French Aubusson Chinoiserie Tapestry
Located in New York, NY
A French Aubusson chinoiserie verdure tapestry, 18th century. A small bird to the left, an acanthus bush in the center, and pagodas in the left distance, within a symmetrical scrolli...
Wool
$760Sale Price / set|72% Off
H 7.49 in W 10.63 in D 0.79 in
Two 18th Century Architectural Fragment Panels With Putties
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair of 18th Century painted architectural fragment panels with putties, one of the panels has Louis Seize decorations The panels were ...
Wood
Sold
H 51.97 in W 84.26 in D 0.79 in
Large Louis-XVI Aubusson Style Machine Made Romantic Tapestry, 20th Century
Located in Sofia, BG
Measures: 214 cm / 132 cm The Aubusson tapestry manufacture of the 17th and 18th centuries managed to compete with the royal manufacture of Gobelins tapestry and the privileged p...
Tapestry
Pair of French Painted Porcelain Framed Plaques
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A pair of hand-painted porcelain floral plaques. Artist signed by the notable Limoges painter "Dubois" The Porcelain is late 19th century and the gilt carved wood frames were custom-made for them around 1950. The Plaques alone measure 8" Wide by 10" High. 12.5" Wide, 14.5" High framed. Beautiful detail in the floral baskets resting on a marble ledge.
Porcelain, Wood