Aubusson tapestry

Aubusson tapestry

The Lion in Love (c. 1775–1780), an Aubusson tapestry designed by Jean-Baptiste Oudry, Musée Nissim de Camondo, Paris
Type	Tapestry
Production method	Weaving
Production process	Craft production
Place of origin	Aubusson, France
Introduced	14th century

Aubusson tapestry (French: Tapisserie d'Aubusson) is tapestry manufactured at Aubusson, in the upper valley of the Creuse in central France. The term often covers similar products made in the nearby town of Felletin, whose products are often treated as "Aubusson". The industry probably developed soon after 1300 with looms in family workshops,^[1] perhaps already run by the Flemings who were noted in documents from the 16th century.

Aubusson tapestry of the 18th century managed to compete with the royal manufacture of Gobelins tapestry and the privileged position of Beauvais tapestry,^[2] although generally regarded as not their equal.

In 2009 "Aubusson tapestry" was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. At that time the industry supported three workshops, and ten or so freelance weavers.^[3]