2-734-383 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Louis XV Savonnerie Carpet with Royal Arms, c. 1740-1750. This spectacular carpet, one of three with this royal pattern, was originally designed for Louis XV’s dining room at chateau La Muette by the prominent Savonnerie artist Pierre-Josse Perrot in 1735. The royal arms of France on the orb are topped by a crown with eagle’s wings. Cornucopia issue from corner pieces that alternate with military trophies. The lively artistic style was simplified for faster weaving and a brown ground was used to heighten the brilliant colours.The Savonnerie factory was founded in the early 1600s to create French versions of Oriental carpets, whose import had created a drain on the economy. The technique, copying Turkish carpets, has wool pile formed with symmetrical rug-knots, wool warps, and hemp wefts.