Favorites of European nobility and royalty for more than 300 years, the tapestries and textiles made by the Royal Manufacture of Aubusson remain legendary for their exceptional quality and grand designs.
The origins of Aubusson’s textiles date back to the 14th century, when residents of the town of Aubusson, located at the base of the Creuse river in France, started small weaving workshops. When skilled weavers from Flanders, Belgium, arrived in Aubusson, seeking refuge and settlement, the town’s weaving industry flourished.
Aubusson was granted the Royal Manufacture title by King Louis XIV in 1665. Along with pieces by rival workshops such as Gobelins and Beauvais, Aubusson’s textiles, carpets and tapestries were prized for their meticulous designs. Early Royal Manufacture of Aubusson works resemble Turkish rugs and Asian textiles, which were popular with European royalty. In later years, though, Aubusson’s weavers shifted their style to reflect Western European and Caucasian rugs as well as Italian Renaissance style, incorporating floral, religious and pastoral themes into the tapestries.
Throughout the 18th century, Aubusson’s tapestries and rugs remained among the most desired by the European aristocracy. An inventory compiled in 1786 listed more than 100 Aubusson carpets at the Palace of Versailles. After the French Revolution, many workshops, including those of Aubusson, lost their Royal Manufacture status. Upholstered and machine-made carpets also became more dominant in the industry.
In 1869, the establishment of the École Nationale des Arts Décoratifs d’Aubusson sparked a renewed interest in Aubusson tapestries, which the school still produces today. Although the advent of wallpaper during the late 19th and early 20th century reduced consumer demand for tapestries as wall decor, Aubusson adapted to the shift towards modernist style. Artists like Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso often had their artworks translated into tapestries.
Aubusson’s carpets and tapestries continue to be coveted by interior designers and collectors of 18th-century, mid-19th-century and Napoleon III textiles and furniture. Aubusson’s history of weaving, wool production, spinning and dyeing is on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
On 1stDibs, find a range of antique Royal Manufacture of Aubusson wall decorations, Asian-inspired art and furniture, carpets and more.
Mid 19th Century Aubusson Rug - Manufacture of Jean-Jacques Sallandrouze
By Aubusson Manufacture
Located in New York, NY
Manufacture of Jean-Jacques Sallandrouze According to Jules Chebeaux Cotton (chain) wool (weft) c. 1851 197 x 197 in, 500 x 500 cm Excellent condition In the 1850s, Jean-Jacques Sal...
Wool, Cotton
Delightful Small Antique French Aubusson Rug in a Charles X Period Style
Located in New York, NY
French Aubusson Carpet from Charles X period Size: 8'0" x 8'0".
Wool
W 204 in L 221 in
Antique French Aubusson Rug. Size: 17 ft x 18 ft 5 in
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Large Square Size Antique French Aubusson Rug, Country of Origin: France, Circa Date: Mid 19th Century. Size: 17 ft x 18 ft 5 in (5.18 m x 5.61 m) This magnificent antique french Aubusson carpet stands out as an exquisite piece for the collector of mid 19th century antiquities. The first thing that stands out is its striking use of color with bright reds and ivories against a dark background. This is only one of the many features that stands out about this impressive piece. This impressive antique French carpet was produced by the carpet works of Aubusson, France using traditional techniques that allowed them to produce antique carpets that were some of the finest in the world. The carpet features a garden lattice...
Wool
W 163.39 in L 141.74 in
French Rug Aubusson Manufacture 19th century - Napoleon III style - No. 1429
By Royal Manufacture of Aubusson
Located in Paris, FR
A stone's throw from the Eiffel Tower We are a family business specializing in the purchase, sale and expertise of old, modern and contemporary tapestries, rugs, kilims and textiles....
Wool
French Empire Aubusson Carpet, Wool, Floral Medallion, Circa 1825
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An early 19thC French Aubusson weave carpet in the pure Empire style. The outside dark orange/brown border has likely been altered (reduced), and possibly dyed in places but is in ke...
Wool
W 100.4 in L 131.89 in
Mid-19th Century French Aubusson Manufactory Rug - Dim: 3m35x2m55 - N° 1532
By Aubusson Manufacture
Located in Paris, FR
Artist: Aubusson Manufactory, 19th Century Era: 19th Century Condition: Perfect Material: Wool Length: 255 cm Width: 335 cm Depth: 1 cm (with doubler) This magnificent rug, having b...
Wool, Silk
W 176 in L 182 in
Antique French Aubusson Rug. 14 ft 8 in x 15 ft 2 in
Located in New York, NY
Gorgeous Antique French Aubusson Square Area Rug, country of origin / rug type: French rug, Circa date: 1870’s. Size: 14 ft 8 in x 15 ft 2 in (4.47 m x 4.62 m)
Wool
W 149.61 in L 124.02 in
19th Century Manufactury Aubusson Carpet, Napoleon III - 380x315 - No. 1488
By Aubusson Manufacture
Located in Paris, FR
Period: 19th century Style: Napoleon III Condition: Perfect condition Material: Wool & silk Length: 380 cm Width: 315 cm Depth: 1 cm This magnificent rug, having benefited from ...
Wool, Silk
Nazmiyal 19th Century Antique French Aubusson Rug. 17 ft 2 in x 25 ft
Located in New York, NY
Nazmiyal Collection Elegant Oversized 19th Century Antique French Aubusson Rug, Country of Origin: France, Circa Date: Mid 19th century
Wool
W 203.94 in L 251.97 in
Palace Size Antique French Aubusson Rug Charles X Aubusson Oversized Aubusson
Located in New York, NY
This is a magnificent palace size Antique French Aubusson rug from the Charles X period. This extraordinary oversized piece features an elegant classical floral medallion composition...
Wool
Palatial 18th Century Neoclassical Aubusson Rug with Medallion
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A sublime period flat-weave square 18th century French carpet. A central medallion of double concentric paterae in gradient blue and olive ...
Wool
Early 19th Century Neoclassical Medallion Aubusson Carpet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A remarkably well-preserved and richly colored Neoclassical period early 19th century carpet. A burgundy and cinnamon field is bound by a melon border with floral and acanthus meand...
Wool
16th Century Flemish Tapestry
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A magnificent Biblical tapestry in wool and silk likely made in the Flemish weaving center of Oudenaarde. With a history of tapestry production dating to 1368, the city created some of the finest tapestries of late Medieval and Renaissance Europe that were widely sought after across the continent. The 16th century...
Wool, Silk
Early 19th Century Parcel Gilt Classical New York Sofa, circa 1820
By Deming & Bulkley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A spectacular American Empire sofa with exquisite detailing and design. One of the masterpieces of Federal New York furniture, this circa 1820 parcel gilt sofa with faux bois Rosewoo...
Mohair, Wood
First Edition early 19th Century Zuber Paravent of Mongin's 'Les Vues d'Italie"
By zuber
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An extraordinary first edition series of Zuber et Cie produced in 1818 after designs by Pierre-Anotine Mongin (1761-1827). These sections of the design r...
Canvas, Wood, Paper
Renaissance Revival Parcel Gilt Cassone with Marbleized Leather Panels
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A grand Renaissance Revival coffer in the the style of 15th century Florence. The intricately carved and scribed lid with gadrooned edge displays a pomegranate motif originating from the Ottoman Empire and popular in Medieval and Renaissance Italy. The case of the piece is decorated with Composite order pilasters, and in between these columns are five richly colored leather panels commissioned from New Orleans artist...
Leather, Giltwood
