Early 20th Century European Savonnerie Carpet

Early 20th century European Savonnerie carpet. 

Savonnerie pieces are undoubtedly the most prestigious of all European knotted pile carpets; the Savonnerie manufactory was first established in 1615, by Pierre DuPont, in a disused soap factory downstream of Paris, in part in response to a desire among the aristocracy to reinvigorate the French decorative arts. 

Until 1768, Savonnerie carpets remained the exclusive property of the French royalty, and served as some of the nation’s most high-value diplomatic gifts, gracing the palaces of the nobility all across Europe.

The Savonnerie fashion enjoyed particular favor during the reign of Napoleon, as a staple of Empire Style design, popular internationally among those seeking to emulate the tastes of the French upper classes, and began to be produced by workshops outside of France. Waddesdon Manor, a Victorian mansion well-known for its vast collection of French artworks, possesses nineteen of these Savonnerie carpets.

This Spanish example, dated to c. 1900, features a rare monochrome palette, with a beautiful ton-sur-ton, in shades of muted green, which lends the carpet an effortless elegance, matched by its simple, understated design across the central field, framed by a wide border with a repeated scrolling pattern.

A beautiful piece, of a truly impressive size and rare colour palette – a design classic, with the versatility to compliment a wide variety of interiors.