Day 149-Aubusson and Limoges For My Maharajah

 

Employing the Aubusson technique, this tapestry depicts an Asian elephant resplendent in its finery as it treks through a mystical forest of exotic fauna. This was inspired by an original, called L'Asie (Asia) which  was first shown at the exposition of Industrial Products in France in 1844. L"Asie  was  woven in an Aubusson factory owned by Charles-Jean Salloundrouze de la Mornaix, sometime between 1840 and 1843, and it is now a permanent exhibit at the Louvre in Paris. 

"L'Asie" at The Louvre Museum

The influence of the East began sometime in  the 1660s when  tales of the East were beginning to circulate amongst the wealthy in Europe, brought back by Jesuit missionaries from the middle and far East. This created an interest in anything Orient, inspiring many artists. Many of the early depictions of the Orient were not experienced firsthand by artists and were often copied from engravings made by missionaries. 

According to some tapestry experts, this interest was maintained though to the 19th century because the largely non-Christian countries in the East were still sufficiently different in culture, language and customs to seem very exotic to Europeans. Over time this led to the development of a style of tapestry known as Oriental. Always distinctive, they tended to be tobacco colored and featured striking images of exotic creatures and people, set against a vibrant backdrop. Many were complemented with detail of local flora and fauna that was often remarkably accurate. 

 

Details of L'Asie- Photograph by THEFunkyman on Flikr

It was said that  the French poet, Theophile Gaultier had commented on this tapestry display at the Exhibition of Industrial Products in 1844 with these words "It was especially noticed a large carpets depicting an elephant in an Asian landscape, vegetation bushy, variegated peacocks making wheel, macaws, cockatoos of ..."   

I am not sure of the  poetic merits of that comment, thanks to Google Translate, but one thing I know, a tapestry like this will not only enhance the beauty of my palace, it will bring with it a sense of history befitting of a stately Maharajah's Palace.

Camino de Singapur

I have been  an ardent admirer of  Carmen's work (Las Miniaturas de Marillum) for some time now. I  have read all her posts and often times, she left me in awe and amazement of her artistry. Her miniature tapestries,for example, blew my mind because I thought she had stitched them. Even though Carmen quickly corrected me  in an email to say they were printed, I had thought they were rather convincing. As if she wanted me to see it for myself, that day, Carmen  asked if she could have my address so she could  send me "a small gift". 

 

I was a little taken aback, to say the least. Apart from that email, Carmen and I have not corresponded. I did not even think she followed my blog. And when she posted on her blog last Wednesday about "Road To Singapore", I thought, half seriously that maybe these gifts were going to another dollhouse lover in Singapore, Cindy perhaps. You see, Carmen did not email me to tell me they were for me, nor was it mentioned on her blog. She kept me waiting, wondering and  hoping. 

 

Last Friday, the parcel arrived. Inside that bag was her interpretation of L'Asie in miniature, an Aubusson rug, patterned in the style of an elephant paw print, in my view at least and something else that made me dizzy with delight.

I have fallen in love with Carmen's porcelain plates from the first time I laid my eyes on them. And she remembered  probably because  I just could not stop gushing every time she posted about her new ceramics. 

And now that I see them for myself, I am pleased to say I was right all along. Her work is impressive and convincing and utterly lovely. 

All the above are pictures from her blog. Her posts are usually briefly worded , unlike mine. I do know however that Carmen sells her work at fairs and by commission. 

Here is  a little opulent setting I have created,  in tribute to Carmen's artistry. In it is  a miniature howdah I bought at the Miniature Museum of Taiwan which I thought echoes  the pomp and ostentation of  L'Asie appropriately.  

Carmen, please accept my gratitude and these are for you:

 

For the sunshine you brought me, 

for the artisan and friend that you are.

for making me very happy

and for another unforgettable  experience.