TAPESTRY USED FOR FRENCH FURNITURE.
GOBELINS, BEAUVAIS, AND AUBUSSON TAPESTRY.—The famous factory of Gobelins originated in the establishment of some dye works in the Faubourg St. Marcel of Paris, by two brothers, Gilles and Jean Gobelin, who had introduced from Venice the art of dyeing scarlet; they also produced some other excellent colors, and this enterprise—at first considered foolish, and acquiring the name of Folie Gobelin—afterwards became most successful. This was in the reign of François I.; they subsequently added a tapestry factory to their dye works. Either in 1662 or in 1667, as different authorities state, Colbert, who had succeeded Cardinal Mazarin as Chief Adviser and Minister of Louis XIV., purchased the factory from the Gobelin family, and reorganised the establishment as the Royal Upholstery Works, employing the artists Lebrun, Berain, Simon Vouet, and others, to furnish subjects for the cartoons, the former artist being appointed Director of the Works. Since 1697 the manufacture of tapestry only has been carried on, and the product of these celebrated looms has become known as Gobelins tapestry. Previous to this time, however, namely, 1669, Colbert ordered the manufacture at Gobelins of what is termed the "low warp" tapestry suitable for furniture—a branch of manufacture which had been transferred to the State works of Beauvais, where the special mode of making tapestry, suitable for the covering of chairs and sofas, has since been carried on, the looms of Gobelins being more generally employed to produce larger panels for hangings. The fine texture, the brilliant colorings of the famous tapestry, are world famous; and enormous sums are commanded by some of the older panels, the tints of which are softened by age, while the condition remains good. Besides the tapestry for furniture, sometimes made at Gobelins, and more generally at Beauvais, a great deal has been produced by the looms at Aubusson, a factory said to have been originated by the immigration of some Flemish workmen into La March during the fourteenth century. Owing, however, to the difficulty in obtaining good patterns and the quality of wool required, their tapestry did not acquire a very high reputation. Colbert granted these manufactories a Charter in 1669, and also gave them protection against foreign rivals; and the looms of Aubusson became busy and their proprietors prosperous. The productions of Gobelins and Beauvais being monopolised by the Court, the works of Aubusson had to provide for the more general requirements of the people, and, therefore, though good of its kind, and occasionally excellent, this tapestry has never attained the reputation of its more famous contemporaries. To those who would learn more of Tapestry, its history, methods of production, and many instructive details, the little South Kensington handbook, "Tapestry," is highly commended; it was written for the Science and Art Department by M. Alfred de Champeaux, and translated by Mrs. R. F. Sketchley.