The Effect of Turkish Carpets on the Emergence of French Carpet Production: Savonnerie Carpets

Abstract

The Turkish carpets that were exported to Europe throughout the history seem to have affected the Europeans to a great extent. The French got familiar with the Turkish carpets only after they were imported from Anatolia. Although the carpets had apparently been woven in France since the Crusades it cannot be known whether these woven products were for floor or for use as wall hangings. Upon having met with the Turkish carpets, the French liked them a, lot and got willing to produce compliance with their own taste. In this paper it is intended to review the developments resulting in the emergence of carpet weaving in France affected by the Anatolian carpets exported to Europe throughout the centuries. The paper also covers one of the important French carpets called Savonnerie. The discussions are supported by specific Savonnerie carpet samples.