Trophies and birds 1715 - 1750

Curator: The piece before us is a woven textile from the Savonnerie Manufactory, dating from 1715 to 1750. It's called "Trophies and Birds." Editor: Whoa, that is… a LOT. I mean, my immediate reaction is, wow, talk about a maximalist moment. I can almost smell the potpourri just looking at it! Curator: Indeed. Savonnerie was the most prestigious carpet manufacturer in France; analyzing their works provides us with insight into the court of Louis XV and prevailing notions of status and luxury. Editor: Luxury is definitely the vibe! These aren't your grandma’s tapestries, unless your grandma was Marie Antoinette. Tell me about the symbolism, because there’s clearly layers. Curator: Absolutely. Birds were extremely fashionable motifs. Here, they are framed like aristocratic portraits against a light blue sky in medallions. We must examine the tradition of ornithology within elite scientific and collecting circles, too. Editor: You can totally picture some bewigged gentleman showing this off, right? I’m kind of obsessed with the fact they crammed everything *but* the kitchen sink in there! Flowers bursting out of vases, trophies… it’s pure sensory overload in the best possible way. Curator: Its composition also highlights the social currency ascribed to “the exotic”. Bird collecting was at the forefront of 18th century obsession, and one can read into the depiction of indigenous fauna colonial narratives that sought to establish European dominance over land, knowledge, and peoples. Editor: Hmm. Hadn't thought about that, it does kind of complicate things. The colours, while faded now, are gorgeous—the interplay of those soft yellows and blues is almost dreamlike. The longer I look at it, the more I feel drawn into its opulent world. Curator: Right, and thinking through colonial discourse enables us to challenge conventional art history which situates Savonnerie manufactory solely within the field of decor. Editor: This has given me such a fun and bizarre experience of this wall hanging. I would love to come back! Curator: Exploring the historical and political dimensions embedded within art objects can broaden their perceived meanings and continue expanding narratives within public cultural spaces. Thank you.