The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 23, 2024

Louis XV Savonnerie Carpet with Royal Arms

Louis XV Savonnerie Carpet with Royal Arms

c. 1740–50
(French, est. 1627)
(French)
France, 18th century
Savonnerie knotted pile (symmetrical ruf knot), wool, hemp
Overall: 546 x 615.6 cm (214 15/16 x 242 3/8 in.)
John L. Severance Fund 1950.8
Location: 216B French and German

Description

This spectacular carpet, one of three with this royal pattern, was originally designed for Louis XV’s dining room at chateau La Muette by the prominent Savonnerie artist Pierre-Josse Perrot in 1735. The royal arms of France on the orb are topped by a crown with eagle’s wings. Cornucopia issue from corner pieces that alternate with military trophies. The lively artistic style was simplified for faster weaving and a brown ground was used to heighten the brilliant colors.The Savonnerie factory was founded in the early 1600s to create French versions of Oriental carpets, whose import had created a drain on the economy. The technique, copying Turkish carpets, has wool pile formed with symmetrical rug-knots, wool warps, and hemp wefts.
  • made for Louis XV to present to Stanislaus of Poland (1677-1766), the son of Raphael Leczinsky, Grand Treasurer of Poland. When Charles XII of Sweden dethroned August II, King of Poland and Elector of Saxony, Stanislaus was elected King of Poland in 1705; the result of the Battle of Pultowa obliged him to abdicate, and he lived afterwards in the Castle of Nancy, France, where is seems likely this carpet was placed. (A. & R. Ball, New York).
  • The Cleveland Museum of Art. The Cleveland Museum of Art Handbook. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1958. Mentioned and Reproduced: cat. no. 290 archive.org
    The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1966. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1966. Reproduced: p. 136 archive.org
    The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1969. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1969. Reproduced: p. 136 archive.org
    The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1978. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1978. Reproduced: p. 179 archive.org
    Langeois, David, Daniel Alcouffe, and Sandrine Riahi. Quelques chefs-d'oeuvre de la collection Djahanguir Riahi: ameublement français du XVIIIe siècle. [Milano]: Franco Maria Ricci, 1999. p. 170-171
    Cleveland Museum of Art. The CMA Companion: A Guide to the Cleveland Museum of Art. Cleveland: Cleveland Museum of Art, 2014. Mentioned and reproduced: P. 368-369
  • Gallery 216 textile rotation. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (May 28, 2008-present).
  • {{cite web|title=Louis XV Savonnerie Carpet with Royal Arms|url=false|author=Royal Savonnerie Manufactory, Chaillot Workshops, Pierre Josse Perrot|year=c. 1740–50|access-date=23 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1950.8