Hand-knotted in wool and originating from France circa 1740-1750, this 11x15 antique rug is a rare acquisition in both period and design—possibly among the works of Jean-Joseph Dumonds. On the Design: Connoisseurs will admire this design which reflects a European interpretation of Ottoman “medallion ushak” design, sometimes spelled “Oushak” in our craft. Its play of medallion and all over repeat depicts elaborate floral patterns in vines, garlands and palmettes with rich detail. Keen eyes will admire the rich colorway of raspberry and bordeaux red tones underscores the patterns, which favor gold, beige, and a delicious jewel tone blue among the colors at play. Admirers of the craft will further appreciate this as a curaton from the Rothschild family collection—an irreplaceable masterpiece of Neoclassical art, and a particularly beloved example of an Oriental design recaptured for the European market which always yields such rare, collectible works as these. This is a regal work of 18th century history which echoes the fascination with 'the Orient' in eighteenth-century Europe and the influence of European royals, particularly in Tudor and Elizabethan England, who were avid collectors of Ottoman carpets, inspiring an emergent class of ambitious nobility to emulate them. It’s a masterpiece of countless subtleties, teeming with the feminine beauty and regal sensibility that embodies this transitional neoclassical style. As our principal Jahanshah Nazmiyal likes to call it among the most sophisticated weaving styles of history, this particular piece features architectural borders and detailed medallions. Condition: This antique Aubusson rug further enjoys good condition for its age and origin, following some visible restoration—ready for the floor and worthy of the most sophisticated projects.
