Aubusson
Aubusson is town in central France on the river Creuse. In 1665 it was granted a charter and permitted to be called Royal Manufactory (see also Aubusson Tapestries). In fact Aubusson was a series of workshops sometimes working in collaboration, sometimes in competition. The word 'Aubusson’ is generally understood to refer to tapestry woven carpets without knots or pile. Confusingly some knotted or pile carpets were also made there. Small numbers were produced in the 18th century and in number were far exceeded by tapestries. In the 19th century this was reversed with a vogue across Europe for Aubusson carpets that complemented the furniture and interiors of the time. In the 20th century some 18th century designs were revived and contemporary designs were also commissioned from designers such as Maison Jansen and André Leon Arbus (1909 – 1969).