Aubusson Rugs
Aubusson rugs are flat-woven French carpets prized for soft, painterly designs: neoclassical medallions, floral garlands, and architectural scrollwork in a muted palette of ivory, rose, celadon, and gold. Named for the town of Aubusson in central France, they have been woven since the 17th century. ModRen Rugs currently has 500+ new Aubusson rugs and carpets to browse, as well as a handful of French originals spanning antique 18th- and 19th-century pieces.
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What it is: a flat-woven (tapestry technique) French carpet, not hand-knotted but handwoven.
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Origin: Antiques are from the town of Aubusson, Creuse region, central France.
New Aubusson recreations are made with the assistance of French artisans in China within the last 30 years, but recently have been limited due to rising costs and retiring weavers.
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Woven since: Originals made in the 17th century; Royal Manufactory status granted in 1665.
New recreations from China and Romania started in the early 1990’s.
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Materials: fine wool on cotton warp, some antiques may have silk highlights and/or metal threads.
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Available at ModRen: 500+ new Aubusson rugs, in sizes from small to 28+ feet.
Aubusson Rugs by Size & Shape
A Short History of Aubusson
Weaving in Aubusson dates to at least the 16th century. In 1665, the workshops received Royal Manufactory status under Louis XIV.
Early carpets borrowed heavy Persian and Oriental medallion motifs. By the 18th century the style had shifted to the lighter French vocabulary of floral garlands, bouquets, and architectural framing that defines the look today.
Production flourished through the Louis XVI and Empire periods and into the 19th century. In 2009, Aubusson tapestry was inscribed on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Aubusson Rug Glossary
- Tapestry weave
- A flat weaving technique where the pattern is woven directly into the structure of the fabric, with no knots and no pile, and no fringes, giving a sense of depth.
- Warp and weft
- The fixed vertical threads (warp) and the horizontal threads woven across them (weft) that form any woven textile, including an Aubusson.
- Cartoon
- An ornamental painting drawn to scale, used to visualize the finished carpet. Once approved, it is created at full scale and used by the weaver at the loom as a guide.
- Verdure
- A tapestry depicting foliage, landscape, or garden scenes, a common subject for Aubusson wall tapestries.
- Point de Aubusson
- Another name for the flat tapestry technique used to weave Aubusson rugs and tapestries.
- Provenance
- The documented history of ownership of a rug or tapestry, a key factor in authenticating and valuing antique pieces.
What Makes an Aubusson Rug
Aubusson is a tapestry weave, not a knotted pile. Like tapestry weavers, they work on a horizontal loom, weaving from the back and following either a full-scale painting or a sketch with color number references. In the finished result, the surface is smooth and crisp, closer to a fine woven painting than a plush rug, without fringe.
That flat, pileless structure is the fastest way to tell an Aubusson from the knotted Savonnerie. Feel the surface: an Aubusson has no raised pile to run your hand against.
- Materials
- Fine wool with cotton warp, sometimes accented with silk highlights.
- Palette
- Muted and elegant: ivory, soft rose, celadon green, pale gold, taupe.
- Motifs
- Central medallions and cartouches, floral wreaths and bouquets, acanthus leaves, ribbons, and classical urns.
- Styles
- Louis XV, Louis XVI, Empire, and Napoleon III framing, plus lighter transitional florals.
Caring for an Aubusson Rug
Because Aubussons are flat-woven, they reward gentle care.
- Use a quality rug pad underneath.
- Rotate the rug periodically to even out light exposure.
- Vacuum regularly.
- Blot spills immediately rather than rubbing.
- Have pieces cleaned by a professional rug specialist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Aubusson rug?
An Aubusson rug is a flat-woven French carpet made in the tapestry technique, originating in the town of Aubusson in central France. Woven since the 17th century, they are known for their 3D perspective and variety of designs, such as neoclassical medallions, floral designs, and soft pastel colors, often used as elegant centerpieces in contemporary and transitional interiors.
What does Aubusson mean in English?
Aubusson is a place name, not a translatable word; it refers to the town of Aubusson in the Creuse region of central France, historically famous for tapestry and carpet weaving. When people say "an Aubusson," they mean a rug or tapestry woven in that town's flat, pictorial style.
Is Aubusson French or English?
Although England’s elite favored Aubusson carpets, Aubusson is entirely French. The technique and the name both come from the town of Aubusson in the Creuse region of central France, where weaving has been documented since at least the 16th century.
How do you identify an Aubusson rug?
Look for a dense, flat, pile-less surface woven like a tapestry, a soft pastel palette, and French neoclassical designs: central medallions, floral garlands, acanthus scrolls, and ribbon borders. The back, if not lined, will show threads precisely mirroring the front pattern. New Aubussons use fine hand-dyed wools, blending multiple colors into the same yarn to simulate a vegetable dye appearance.
Antique Aubussons use natural dyes, all wool with occasional silk highlights. The flat weave is the fastest giveaway, and they never have fringes.
Are Aubusson rugs good quality?
Yes, handwoven Aubusson rugs with fine wool are considered luxury floor coverings. Antique 18th- and 19th-century examples are collected as investment-grade textiles, while well-made hand-woven reproductions offer the same look and texture with even greater everyday durability at a more attainable cost.
How do you authenticate an antique Aubusson?
Authentication looks at age-appropriate materials (hand-spun wool, natural dyes), a genuine flat tapestry weave, period-correct design, and signs of honest wear and repair consistent with age. Some pieces carry a woven "Aubusson" signature. For valuable antiques, get a written appraisal from a qualified rug or textile specialist.
What is the difference between Persian and Aubusson rugs?
Persian rugs are hand-knotted with a raised pile and feature dense, symbolic Oriental patterns in rich colors, almost always with fringes. Aubusson rugs are flat-woven French tapestry carpets with a smooth surface, European neoclassical designs, and a softer pastel palette, never with fringes. In short: Persian is knotted pile from the Middle East; Aubusson is flat-woven from France.
Are Aubusson rugs still in style?
Yes. Aubusson rugs remain popular in traditional, transitional, and modern interiors because their soft colors and painterly designs work as a quiet, elegant foundation. Designers use them to bring warmth and a sense of history to formal rooms, entryways, and dining spaces.
What is an Aubusson tapestry?
An Aubusson tapestry is a wall-hung textile woven in the same French town and flat technique as Aubusson rugs, depicting scenes such as landscapes (verdure), pastoral views, hunts, and coats of arms. Aubusson rugs are made for the floor; Aubusson tapestries are made to be hung.
How can you tell if a tapestry is valuable?
Value comes from age, weaving fineness, condition, size, subject matter, and provenance. Hand-woven antique tapestries with natural dyes, detailed scenes, minimal restoration, and documented history are worth the most. A specialist appraisal is the reliable way to confirm value. New tapestries are valued on their design execution, color harmony and precise weaving techniques.
How much does an antique Aubusson rug cost?
Prices vary widely based on age, size, condition, and rarity, from a few hundred dollars for smaller or semi-antique pieces to well into six figures for rare museum-quality 18th- and 19th-century examples. Because each piece is sourced and priced individually, contact ModRen for a quote on the size, style, and budget you have in mind.
Can you clean or wash an Aubusson rug?
Vacuum regularly, as with any handwoven carpet, and seek out reputable handwoven rug cleaning companies.
How many Aubusson rugs does ModRen have in stock?
ModRen currently has 500+ Aubusson rugs and carpets to browse online, ranging from small sizes to room-size carpets over 28 feet.
Can I see an Aubusson rug in my home before I buy it?
Yes. ModRen offers in-home trials on many pieces, so you can see how a rug looks in your own space and light before making a decision (USA only).
Looking for a Specific Aubusson?
Tell us your room size, period, and palette (Louis XVI, Empire, Napoleon III) and we'll help you find the right piece.
Contact ModRen Rugs