Asia is regarded as the original home of carpet production and is still an important centre for textile and upholstery production today. As international travel became more commonplace traders started to bring home souvenirs of their journeys from the countries they had visited. As carpets became more popular many European weavers became eager to emulate the designs and start producing their own.

The following article reveals how Eastern designs have influenced Western carpet production.

Spanish carpets

Carpet production in Spain began around the tenth century. Prior to the eighth century, Spain was a land of much change and had seen many different colonies seize power. The start of the eighth century saw a change for Spain as Muslim invaders brought rule and influence to the country.

As the new power became established Spains culture started to become influenced by Eastern pursuits. Weaving and carpet production had been practiced for some time in the East and many people continued the tradition in Spain. The first significant carpet discovered is known simply as the synagogue carpet. It is thought only part of its great length was retrieved from storage and its exact origin is unknown.

The carpet depicted a range of images from nature including a blossoming tree as the centre piece surrounded by birds and rosettes. The colour scheme comprised of a pale pink backing with soft blues and mauves used for borders and detail. This colour scheme seems to suggest the design may have been influenced by carpets from the Isfahan region. Comments made at the time about the peculiar method of knotting also seem to support this.

French carpets

During the era of Muslim rule of Spain, France too was challenged as invaders tried to seize reign. French forces resisted the invasion and so became influenced by Muslim culture only inadvertently by neighbouring nations.

In the early seventeenth century Henry IV initiated the first significant production of carpets in France. The inspiration was clearly acknowledged as the first carpets, known as Turkish carpets, were produced in the Savonnerie factory just outside of Paris. The first range of carpets which were commercially successful were known as Louis the XIII carpets. The carpets were inspired by works of art from the Netherlands and were created using traditional eastern weaving methods. Floral designs were used in abundance which differed somewhat from traditionally minimal pieces.

The Savonnerie factory continued to make carpets and was particularly successful towards the close of the seventeenth century. Over twenty years more than a hundred carpets were produced. These designs were also highly decorative with floral designs and were displayed in the Louvre in several galleries.