Antique Continental European Rug 1849

Continental Rug, England, Late 19th Century - A luscious border of naturalistic grape clusters reminiscent of Caravaggio's "Bacchus" encircles a deep aubergine open field on this incomparably elegant antique European carpet. The naturalistic style of the border reflects the tradition of French Savonnerie and Aubusson carpets. But the purely open field and depth of color are not French. They probably indicate the richer classical taste of the late Hapsburg court of Austria-Hungary.