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.
Zabihi Collection 19th Century French Tapestry Stool
Located in New York, NY
This elegant antique stool was crafted in Southern France circa 1850 and exemplifies refined late 19th century French craftsmanship. Constructed from solid fruitwood, the square form...
Wool
Pair of 19th Century Turned French Stools
Located in High Point, NC
Pair of 19th century oak stools from France with newly upholstered tops in linen finished with a single welt. The frames have hand-turned barley twist legs, joined by matching stretc...
Linen, Oak
19th Century French Walnut Stool
Located in High Point, NC
19th century walnut stool from France with a wonderfully thick top which has a handle design cutout of the top and a multi-level beveled edge, following down to a lovely hand scallop...
Walnut
19th C French Milk Stool
Located in Nijlen, BE
19th-century French milking stool in original condition. It was used for milking cows and sitting on it in the shortest direction. A beautiful original piece in solid condition, rare...
Oak
19th Century, French, Pine Wood Stool
Located in IT
19th Century French pine wood stool found in the South of France.
Pine
19th Century French Walnut Upholstered Stool
Located in High Point, NC
19th century walnut stool from France with newly upholstered seat in linen. This stool is lovely! The seat has Benn newly upholstered in linen and finished with single welt decorat...
Linen, Walnut
French 19th Century Directoire St. Walnut Stool
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most elegant French 19th century Directoire st. Walnut stool. The circular stool is raised by lovely lightly curved square tapered legs below the straight wrap around frieze.
Walnut
Primitive Oak Stool, French 19th Century
Located in Warminster, GB
A primitive oak stool or side table. French, 19C. Stock ref. #3042 In good sturdy order. A slight lean to the top, though suitable level to rest a mug or lamp. Some evidence of his...
Oak
Pair of 19th Century French Upholstered Stools
Located in High Point, NC
Pair of 19th century oak stools from France with newly upholstered tops. The seats are newly upholstered in linen and have nail head trim decoration. The frames of the stools are...
Abalone, Oak
Pair of 19th Century French Elm Stools
Located in High Point, NC
Pair of charming early 19th century elm stools from France. The tops are thickly cut planks of elm and have hand scalloped edges and hand-carved decoration on the tops. They are su...
Elm
French 19th Century Oak & Tapestry Stool
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French oak and tapestry stool made in the 1800’s. This comfortable stool is upholstered in a bright and colorful floral needlepoint tapestry with nailhead trim. Raised on turned so...
Fabric, Oak, Tapestry
19th Century French Walnut Stool
Located in High Point, NC
19th century walnut stool from France. The seat is upholstered in old petit point with a landscape scene including a castle and manor house, including a forefront of fields and anim...
Textile, Walnut
$3,975
H 19 in W 25 in D 25 in
19th Century French Louis XIII Carved Walnut and Aubusson Tapestry Stool
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique stool was crafted in Southern France circa 1880 and exemplifies refined late 19th century French craftsmanship. Constructed from solid fruitwood, the square form is raised on four gracefully scrolled cabriole legs, each enriched with finely hand-carved acanthus leaf decoration. The legs are joined by an elaborate serpentine stretcher centered by a sculptural cartouche, lending both visual balance and structural integrity. The frame retains a warm, rich walnut-toned patina that has developed naturally over time, highlighting the depth of the carving and the quality of the wood. The seat has been professionally reupholstered using an authentic 18th century Aubusson verdure tapestry panel. Woven in the traditional palette of greens, soft blues, and warm beige tones, the tapestry depicts stylized foliage and botanical motifs arranged in a classical landscape composition. Verdure designs such as this were among the most celebrated productions of Aubusson and were prized for their painterly quality and illusion of depth. Aubusson, located along the river Creuse in central France, emerged as one of the most important centers of tapestry manufacture from the 17th through the 18th centuries, supplying aristocratic and royal interiors during the reigns of Louis XIV and Louis XV...
Tapestry, Walnut
Pair of Opulent Giltwood Fauteuils 19th Century
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An exquisite pair of giltwood armchairs in the Louis XVI style with original Aubusson tapestry covers in gold tones. Elegantly carved and upholstered, this fine set exhibits richly c...
Tapestry, Giltwood, Upholstery, Silk, Wool
Pair of Opulent Giltwood Fauteuils 19th Century
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An exquisite pair of giltwood armchairs in the Louis XVI style with original Aubusson tapestry covers in gold tones. Elegantly carved and upholstered, this fine set exhibits richly c...
Tapestry, Giltwood, Wool, Silk, Upholstery
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H 19.25 in W 12.5 in D 12.5 in
18th Century, French Paint Decorated & Tapestry Upholstered High Stool
Located in Atlanta, GA
French, 18th century. A very fine high stool (19.25" h) - in original yellow and green paint. The legs are of traditional turned style and seat is upholstered in 18th century or ear...
Tapestry, Wood
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H 9.06 in W 11.03 in D 15.95 in
Victorian Aubusson Needlework Footstool Claw & Ball Carved Wood Foot Bench
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
An antique early Victorian footstool with finely detailed hand-carved claw and ball feet made of walnut wood, upholstered with a rich ornated Aubusson tapestry with an heraldic lion ...
Fabric, Tapestry, Wool, Wood, Nutwood, Walnut
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H 29 in W 14 in D 13 in
French Louis XVI Child's Chair with Original Aubusson Upholstery, circa 1890
Located in San Francisco, CA
French Louis XVI Child's chair with original Aubusson upholstery, circa 1890 The original Aubusson upholstery is a bit faded after the past 130+...
Wood
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H 18.5 in W 14.5 in D 5 in
Woven Tapestry Cushion or Pillow in Aubusson style, French, 19th Century
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a beautiful woven tapestry pillow or cushion depicting a Lady playing a Lyre in a woodland setting, all in the Aubusson style, with a pom pom wool fringe to the outer edge, w...
Tapestry, Wool
French Style Aubusson Needlepoint Bench
Located in Redding, CT
French style Aubusson needlepoint bench. Whimsical intricate design includes butterflies, ladybugs and flowers. Extremely feminine and delicate the c...
Wool, Wood