Carpet 1685 - 1699

This carpet was made by the Savonnerie Manufactory in France, and it’s now held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Tapestries and carpets like this were more than mere decoration. They were deeply embedded in the social and political life of the French court. Floral patterns and heraldic emblems, woven into the fabric, visually reinforced the power and status of the monarchy. The Savonnerie manufactory itself was an institution closely tied to the crown, producing luxury goods exclusively for the royal family and select members of the aristocracy. These carpets weren’t just objects, they were symbols of wealth and authority, carefully displayed in royal palaces and state occasions to project an image of opulence and control. To fully understand these artworks, we delve into historical records, court documents, and the social history of the time, uncovering the intricate web of power, patronage, and artistic production that shaped their creation. The role of art and the institutions that commission it provide insight into the values of a culture.