Aubusson and Felletin
Aubusson, located in central France on the river Creuse along with nearby Felletin, was a major producer of tapestries and, later, also carpets. In 1665 Jean-Baptiste Colbert (1619 – 1683), minister to Louis XIV, granted an official charter entitling Aubusson to be called a Royal Manufactory, in spite of the individual workshops maintaining independence and freedom of management. Quality of output was varied as Aubusson was popular for more competitively priced weavings, however some examples surpassed even the work of Beauvais. The Aubusson workshops were famous for verdure and landscape tapestries in the 17th century, and pastoral tapestries and upholstery in the 18th century. The workshops were quick to embrace new tastes in fashion and prospered during the 19th century and adapted to produce modernist designs in the 20th century. Pinton Fréres at Felletin in France were commissioned to weave Graham Sutherland’s (1903 – 1980) tapestry, Christ in Majesty (1962) for Coventry Cathedral, at that time the largest tapestry in the world.
Fine Woodland Landscape Tapestry
Price on application
Aubusson, circa 1700
With Aubusson mark: AB
From the collection of Marquis Antoine Forbin de la Barben, by descent
13ft 7in width x 10ft 9in height
4.14m x 3.28m
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La Danse a Deux
Price on application
Aubusson Draperies Tapestry
From the series: Pastorales a Draperies Rouges
Based on designs by Jean-Baptiste Huet
7ft 5in width x 9ft 3in height
2.26m x 2.82m
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Le Jeu de Quilles
Price on application
A Louis XVI Aubusson Tapestry Panel
From the series: Les Jeux d'Enfants
11ft 8in width x 8ft 2in height
3.56m x 2.49m
