Aubusson French Antique Floral Medallion Warm Tan Hand-Knotted Wool Carpet – Circa 1870 BB8926 13'5" × 14'8" $95,000

A triumph of French decorative arts, this magnificent 19th-century Aubusson rug from circa 1870 is a celebration of symmetry, color, and classical refinement. Woven in the historic tapestry town of Aubusson in central France, the piece exemplifies the artistic grandeur associated with the Second Empire and early Third Republic periods.

The rug’s composition centers around a resplendent rosette medallion, set against a striking terra cotta ground. The medallion is framed by concentric floral garlands and stylized botanical motifs, exuding a regal sense of order and poise. Soft blue, cream, and apricot tones within the medallion offer gentle contrast and radiate outward like a blooming flower at the heart of a formal garden.

The field is richly adorned with a dense millefleurs-style pattern of vines, blossoms, and scattered floral bouquets rendered in shades of ivory, blush, ochre, crimson, and celadon. This overall floral lattice imbues the rug with delicate movement and texture, evoking the lush tapestries and Savonnerie carpets designed for the salons of Versailles and Fontainebleau.

Surrounding the central design is a sequence of ornate borders—a narrow ribbon of black and gold floral vines flanked by broader bands of scrolling acanthus and stylized blooms, all enclosed within an outermost vinework frame. This layered border structure enhances the rug’s architectural presence and balance, functioning like a frame around a painting.

Woven using the flatweave tapestry technique characteristic of the Aubusson tradition, this rug offers not only visual richness but also a soft, refined hand. It is a quintessential representation of French elegance and artistry, perfect for both traditional and transitional interiors seeking an elevated sense of history and luxury.

A rare piece from the Doris Leslie Blau Collection, this rug exemplifies superior artistry and tradition. Doris Leslie Blau offers a broad and varied pricing spectrum, accommodating collectors and designers across a range of budgets—from modest vintage finds to rare, museum-worthy masterpieces.