French carpets

The Directorate saw fewer flowers, simpler classic patterns, and probably very few rugs because it was a time of war and social unrest.

When Napoleon I became Emperor, the rugs of the time re­flected his favorite motifs—the sphinx, the drum, the sword, the bee, the letter N, the laurel wreath.

Design was heavier and bolder. Large medallions were usual.

These were the great periods of French decoration. In the nineteenth century the character of rug designs became less dis­tinguished, but in 1869, a national school of decorative arts was founded to maintain the artistic standards of France and to supervise the products of her famous factories.

Since then, and practically up to the present day, Aubusson rugs have been made in the authentic designs of her best periods.