17th-century Aubusson Tapestry, Woven By The Royal Manufacture

17th-century Aubusson tapestry, woven by the Royal Manufacture, depicting an elegant landscape known as the “Peacock Landscape”.

This important tapestry presents a particularly refined landscape composition, centred on an expansive verdant setting opening onto a distant mountainous panorama. Large trees and abundant foliage structure the scene, while a body of water animates the foreground. Several birds, including peacocks, are depicted throughout the landscape, lending movement and richness to the composition.

At the centre stands a remarkable architectural structure, most likely a château or aristocratic residence, which provides depth and balance to the composition. The architecture, trees and successive planes of the landscape are rendered with great delicacy, characteristic of the verdure tapestries produced in Aubusson during the 17th century.

The composition is framed by a richly ornamented border featuring vegetal and floral motifs, harmoniously emphasising the monumental proportions of the tapestry.

This design was woven on several occasions in the Aubusson workshops and is identified in specialist literature as the “Peacock Landscape”. It is notably reproduced and discussed by Pascal-François Bertrand in his reference work Aubusson, Tapisseries des Lumières, figures 123 and 143, pages 131–138.

The tapestry bears the inscription “MANUFACTURE ROYALE” at the lower centre.

The tapestry has undergone complete professional cleaning and restoration by specialists in the conservation of historic textiles. It has been fully backed with a protective fabric and fitted on the reverse with a Velcro mounting system, providing a secure method of hanging particularly suited to its substantial dimensions and weight.

A work of considerable decorative and historical interest, whose impressive scale, refined composition and monumental character make it particularly suitable for the decoration of a prestigious interior, château or historic residence.

Period: 17th century
Manufacture: Aubusson, Royal Manufacture
Model: “Peacock Landscape”
Technique: wool and silk
Inscription: “MANUFACTURE ROYALE”, lower centre
Dimensions: H. 276 × W. 480 cm
Condition: Very good condition following professional cleaning and restoration
Presentation: Protective fabric backing with a Velcro mounting system for secure hanging.