Colors in French rugs

Color—Savonnerie coloring was rich and strong. Velvety black backgrounds were usual. Many shades of rose and gold, with accents of green, turquoise and blue were used.

In the time of Louis XVI, the colors were more delicate, but with the Napole­onic era we find heavy reds and greens, blacks and golds.

Aubusson colors were usually somewhat softer, though as in their designs, they followed the fashion. Cream, oyster white, soft rose, or champagne colored backgrounds were used.

The shades of rose, green and blue were often almost pastel, espe­cially in the later rugs which have been woven in imitation of colors faded by time.

It is doubtful if any of us would have liked the reds and greens of Napoleon's day if we had seen them then instead of a hundred years later.