Aubusson Flat
Louis Quatorze (XIV) 1643-1715
A few months after the death of Richelieu, Louis Xlll died, leaving his five-year-old son Louis XIV to reign for seventy-two years, first under the restraint of Mazarin, and later as absolute monarch. With his succession and under the unbroken influence of his long reign all the arts flourished to an extraordinary degree. Le Roy Soldi ruled with a magnificence and state unknown since the days of the Roman Empire. Colbert, his able minister, gathered famous artists and craftsmen together and housed them in the Louvre under royal patronage.
Early in his reign the King had decided to make his court the most magnificent in all Europe and to make France the center of culture of the modern world. To accomplish this purpose he appointed Le Brun his Minister of Fine Arts. Le Brun took over several of the finest manufacturers in France, placed them under government control and supported them with state funds.
Among these were the Gobelins, Beauvais, Aubusson and Savonnerie looms where tapestries and floor coverings commonly placed in front of fireplace doors (http://www.ferche.com/) were made, and the Sevres porcelain factory. He also established the National School of Fine Arts (Ecole des Beaux Arts) which is still under the French government control and which receives pupils from all over the world, offering free tuition in architecture, painting, sculpture and engraving.
Jules Mansart was appointed royal architect and commissioned to build the great palace at Versailles, one of the most magnificent and largest buildings ever constructed. The cost of this structure alone was so expensive that it is said to have sown the seeds of the French revolution.
The palace was intended not only to furnish living accommodations for the immense retinue of the King, but enormous rooms were planned to entertain thousands of persons in the most regal splendor. Although the building was practically stripped of all its furnishings during the revolution and has undergone many changes since that time, enough of its original decoration still remains to make it the finest extant example of the Louis XIV period.
The most typical characteristic of the interior architecture of this style was the enormous scale of the rooms themselves and the massiveness of the architectural detail and furniture that was in them, right down to the wooden bar rails (http://www.ferche.com/). The orders were largely used and classical proportions were strictly adhered to, although ornamentation was quite original.
Paneling was large and vigorous. The main structural lines of the panels were straight and rectangular, but much ornament was used. A dado usually ran around the room, the panels above it running up to an ornate cornice. As a rule, the colors used were a cream ground and gilt moldings although natural oak and other painted colors were also employed.
Elaborate woodcarving was much used. Fireplaces were conspicuous, the openings and the chimney breast elaborately treated. Over-mantels incorporated framed paintings, and in smaller rooms mirrors. Doors were paneled, carved, painted and gilded. Floors were of parquet or marble tiling and ceilings often flat in smaller rooms.
Le Brun appointed as head cabinet maker to the King, Boulle (also spelled Boule and Buhl), who with the possible exception of Chippendale has had a greater influence upon the development of furniture than any other man. Boulle is known as having popularized the use of metal mounts (Ormolu) in the ornamentation of furniture. He also is famous for his use of tortoise shell and metal inlay. By cutting two layers of tortoise shell and sheet metal in an elaborate jig-saw pattern, he alternated the metal and the shell in applying it as veneer to the doors and panels of his cabinet furniture.
Boulle used a great variety of wood. Ebony was one of his favorites, but oak, walnut, tulip, rosette wood corner blocks, rosewood, and other more costly woods were also used. Many of his pupils later became well known cabinet makers. Among them were Levasseur, Jacob, and Oeben. The furniture of this period was as a rule large and in the main rectangular lines predominated. The chairs were commonly reinforced with heavy stretchers between the legs.
Later the furniture became curvilinear in both structure and ornament. It was elaborately carved, painted, and gilded, with small pied-de-biche, dolphin's head, scrolled, round, or square feet. The pieces were numerous, the canape, commode, armoire and escritoire were finely developed. Superb Aubusson tapestry, embroidery, needlework, damask, large figured velvets, leather and caning were used. Metal mounts were works of art in brass or ormolu. Everything was formal, stately and sumptuous.
About the Author
Sarah Martin is a freelance marketing writer based out of San Diego, CA. She specializes in the history of interior design, home improvement, and hardwood moulding. For the best in the
rosette wood corner blocks
industry, please visit
http://www.ferche.com/
.
 |
 26X4 HAND WOVEN Aubusson Area Rug ANTIQUE FRENCH STYLE Wool Flat Weave 500 $182.00 Time Remaining: 5h 16m Buy It Now for only: $182.00 Buy It Now |
 HANDMADE WOOL BLUE STUNNING FRENCH AUBUSSON FLAT WEAVE NEEDLEPOINT RUG 8 X 10 $549.00 Time Remaining: 4d 6h 29m Buy It Now for only: $650.00 Buy It Now |
 9X12 AUBUSSON FLAT WEAVE RUG ANTIQUE RED $775.00 Time Remaining: 6d 5h 1m Buy It Now for only: $775.00 Buy It Now |
 10X14 AUBUSSON FLAT WEAVE RUG $1,500.00 Time Remaining: 7d 19h 12m Buy It Now for only: $1,500.00 Buy It Now |
 10x14 Oversize Hand woven Wool French Aubusson Flat Weave Area Rug Brand New $2,300.00 Time Remaining: 25d 3h 59m Buy It Now for only: $2,300.00 Buy It Now |
 10X14 GOLDBLK AUBUSSON FLAT WEAVE $995.00 Time Remaining: 21d 21h 56m Buy It Now for only: $995.00 Buy It Now |
 56x8 FRENCH AUBUSSON FLAT WEAVE RUG $880.00 Time Remaining: 16d 5h 44m Buy It Now for only: $880.00 Buy It Now |
 5X8 AUBUSSON FLAT WEAVE RUG $299.00 Time Remaining: 15d 19h 53m Buy It Now for only: $299.00 Buy It Now |
 10X10 SQUARE Aubusson Rug ANTIQUE FRENCH PASTEL Free Shipping FLAT WEAVE $1,500.00 Time Remaining: 4h 22m Buy It Now for only: $1,500.00 Buy It Now |
 26X4 French Aubusson Area Rug VINTAGE PASTEL COLORS Wool Hand Woven Flat Weave $182.00 Time Remaining: 13d 10h 45m Buy It Now for only: $182.00 Buy It Now |
 26x8 Runner Wool French Aubusson Flat Weave Area Rug Brand New Free Shipping $499.00 Time Remaining: 3d 6h 40m Buy It Now for only: $499.00 Buy It Now |
 8X10 AUBUSSON FLAT WEAVE RUG NEW FRENCH STYLE $499.00 Time Remaining: 25d 1h 40m Buy It Now for only: $499.00 Buy It Now |
 9X12 Aubusson Area Rug Pastel Antique Gold Yellow Ivory Wool Flat Weave NEW $1,599.00 Time Remaining: 15d 2h 28m Buy It Now for only: $1,599.00 Buy It Now |
 9X12 FRENCH DESIGN AUBUSSON FLAT WEAVE RUG $1,200.00 Time Remaining: 14d 23h 41m Buy It Now for only: $1,200.00 Buy It Now |
 FLAT AUBUSSON WEAVE RUG BURGUNDY $195.00 Time Remaining: 28d 3h 42m Buy It Now for only: $195.00 Buy It Now |
 6x6 Square Wool French Aubusson Flat Weave Area Rug Brand New Free Shipping $740.00 Time Remaining: 9h 27m Buy It Now for only: $740.00 Buy It Now |
 9X12 Hand woven Wool French Aubusson Flat Weave Rug Brand New Free Shipping $1,882.00 Time Remaining: 9d 17h Buy It Now for only: $1,882.00 Buy It Now |
 6x9 Hand woven Wool French Aubusson Flat Weave Rug Brand New Free Shipping $1,300.00 Time Remaining: 25d 3h 59m Buy It Now for only: $1,300.00 Buy It Now |
 BURGUNDY 8X10 FRENCH AUBUSSON FLAT WEAVE RUG $795.00 Time Remaining: 13d 1h 13m Buy It Now for only: $795.00 Buy It Now |
 9X12 BEIGE FLAT WEAVE AUBUSSON WEAVE RUG $1,200.00 Time Remaining: 16d 22h 44m Buy It Now for only: $1,200.00 Buy It Now |
 66x66 Square Wool French Aubusson Flat Weave Rug BrandNew FreeShipping $850.00 Time Remaining: 10h 57m Buy It Now for only: $850.00 Buy It Now |
 5x8 Hand woven Wool French Aubusson Flat Weave Rug Brand New Free Shipping $799.00 Time Remaining: 3d 6h 41m Buy It Now for only: $799.00 Buy It Now |
 10X10 SQUARE Aubusson Rug SUBTLE FRENCH COLORS Wool Handmade Flat weave Carpet $1,500.00 Time Remaining: 18d 12h 7m Buy It Now for only: $1,500.00 Buy It Now |
 Light Green French Aubusson Flat weave rug $1,795.00 Time Remaining: 13d 1h 12m Buy It Now for only: $1,795.00 Buy It Now |
 8x10 Hand woven Wool French Aubusson Flat Weave Rug Brand New Free Shipping $1,400.00 Time Remaining: 5d 6h 33m Buy It Now for only: $1,400.00 Buy It Now |
 7x10 Hand woven Wool French Aubusson Flat Weave Rug Brand New Free Shipping $1,250.00 Time Remaining: 3d 6h 42m Buy It Now for only: $1,250.00 Buy It Now |
 8X10 AUBUSSON FLAT WEAVE RUG $2,950.00 Time Remaining: 28d 29m Buy It Now for only: $2,950.00 Buy It Now |
 4x6Hand woven Wool French Aubusson Flat Weave Rug Brand New Free Shipping $499.00 Time Remaining: 13d 22h 36m Buy It Now for only: $499.00 Buy It Now |
 12x15 Oversize Wool French Aubusson Flat Weave Rug Brand New Free Shipping $2,900.00 Time Remaining: 9h 25m Buy It Now for only: $2,900.00 Buy It Now |
 9X12 Hand Woven French Aubusson Flat Weave Area Rug Brand New Free Shipping $1,820.00 Time Remaining: 24d 9h 42m Buy It Now for only: $1,820.00 Buy It Now |
 10x14 Hand woven Wool French Aubusson Flat Weave Rug Brand New Free Shipping $2,300.00 Time Remaining: 9h 27m Buy It Now for only: $2,300.00 Buy It Now |
 26x4Hand woven Wool French Aubusson Flat Weave Rug Brand New Free Shipping $299.00 Time Remaining: 9h 27m Buy It Now for only: $299.00 Buy It Now |
 9X12 Hand woven Wool French Aubusson Flat Weave Rug Brand New Free Shipping $1,820.00 Time Remaining: 24d 9h 44m Buy It Now for only: $1,820.00 Buy It Now |
 4x6 Hand woven Butterfly Wool French Aubusson Flat Weave Area Rug Newly Made $499.00 Time Remaining: 5d 8h 6m Buy It Now for only: $499.00 Buy It Now |
 10x14 Hand woven Wool French Aubusson Flat Weave Rug Brand New Free Shipping $2,300.00 Time Remaining: 9h 28m Buy It Now for only: $2,300.00 Buy It Now |
 Pre order Custom made French Aubusson Flat Weave Area Rug 100 wool Hand Woven $880.00 Time Remaining: 23d 1h 6m Buy It Now for only: $880.00 Buy It Now |
 32x10 Runner Wool French Aubusson Flat Weave Rug Brand New Free Shipping $680.00 Time Remaining: 3d 6h 40m Buy It Now for only: $680.00 Buy It Now |
 DESIGN FLAT WEAVE AUBUSSON RUG 9X12 HANDMADE NEW $750.00 Time Remaining: 25d 1h 40m Buy It Now for only: $750.00 Buy It Now |
 6x9 Hand woven Wool French Aubusson Flat Weave Rug Brand New Free Shipping $999.00 Time Remaining: 9h 25m Buy It Now for only: $999.00 Buy It Now |
 10x14 Hand woven Floral Rose Tropical Palm Wool French Aubusson Flat Weave Rug $2,300.00 Time Remaining: 25d 5h 23m Buy It Now for only: $2,300.00 Buy It Now |
 12x156 Oversize Wool French Aubusson Flat Weave Rug Brand New Free Shipping $2,999.00 Time Remaining: 16d 5h 33m Buy It Now for only: $2,999.00 Buy It Now |
 BEAUTY 12X18 AUBUSSON FLAT WEAVE RUG TAN D GREEN $3,500.00 Time Remaining: 25d 4m Buy It Now for only: $3,500.00 Buy It Now |
 DESIGNER 9X12 FLAT WEAVE ORIGINAL AUBUSSON RUG KPSI 300 $1,999.00 Time Remaining: 20d 21h 40m Buy It Now for only: $1,999.00 Buy It Now |
 9x12 Hand woven Butterfly Wool French Aubusson Flat Weave Area Rug Newly Made $1,820.00 Time Remaining: 5d 7h 57m Buy It Now for only: $1,820.00 Buy It Now |
 4x6 Hand woven Wool French Aubusson Flat Weave Rug Brand New Free Shipping $499.00 Time Remaining: 9d 17h 2m Buy It Now for only: $499.00 Buy It Now |
 12x15 Oversize Wool French Aubusson Flat Weave Rug Brand New Free Shipping $2,999.00 Time Remaining: 16d 5h 47m Buy It Now for only: $2,999.00 Buy It Now |
 9x12 Hand woven Roses Wool French Aubusson Flat Weave Area Rug Brand New $1,820.00 Time Remaining: 25d 1h 22m Buy It Now for only: $1,820.00 Buy It Now |
 9x12 Hand woven Roses Wool French Aubusson Flat Weave Area Rug Newly Made $1,820.00 Time Remaining: 6d 27m Buy It Now for only: $1,820.00 Buy It Now |
 8x10 Hand woven Wool French Aubusson Flat Weave Rug Brand New Free Shipping $1,400.00 Time Remaining: 25d 3h 59m Buy It Now for only: $1,400.00 Buy It Now |
 5x8 Hand woven Wool French Aubusson Flat Weave Rug Brand New Free Shipping $799.00 Time Remaining: 10h 59m Buy It Now for only: $799.00 Buy It Now |
 9X12 Hand Woven French Aubusson Flat Weave Area Rug Brand New Free Shipping $1,820.00 Time Remaining: 24d 9h 3m Buy It Now for only: $1,820.00 Buy It Now |
 Nourison Zanibar Aubusson Brown 5.6-Feet by 7.5-Feet Polyacrylic Area Rug List Price: Sale Price: $228.45 You save: $37.55 (14%)  Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionIn this distinctive collection, premium quality Opulon yarns are used to create a densely woven and strikingly luxurious pile. The fashion appeal of the color palette is warmly enhanced by the rich patina of the special fiber...  |
