Alfombra [Rug]
- 1962-1982
- Fabric with symmetrical or Turkish knots
- 197 x 290 cm
- Cat. A_204
- Observations: Warp: cotton. Weft: cotton. Knot: wool. Weaving density: 18 knots/dm
Woven into the centre of the rug are the letters 'BE', indicating that it was designed specifically for the Banco de España (very possibly for the Huelva branch).
The form of the decoration around the letters is typical of the Empire style. The initials of the bank occupy the exact centre of a field with a salmon pink background. They are flanked by two large, mottled acanthus rinceaux with hints of the same range of golds as the initials themselves, but with touches of emerald green. Each rinceau is formed by two large, symmetrical stalks linked by emerald green brooches. Each scroll ends in a hanging fruit or ball half concealed among green foliage. Two small protuberances and a wing on each stalk give them an organic look, though the dragon heads at which these additions hint are not to be found.
The field is surrounded by a thick main border with two golden mouldings. Its background is dark brown and it is decorated with striking golden rinceaux that match those on the field. Here also, the gold colour is broken up by flecks of emerald green. Each corner has a large palmette flanked by two rinceaux finished with winged, zoomorphic figures which appear to be part griffin and part dragon.
The forcefulness of the design and the iconic decoration clearly hark back to the emphatic style and fantasy-based repertoire of the French Empire period or the time of Charles IV in Spain. The visual consistency of the rinceaux is reminiscent of compositions by La Jacques-Louis de la Hamayde de Saint-Ange-Desmaisons and the fabulous beasts recall those of Percier and Fontaine. In creating this rug, the cartoonist may well have been thinking of the designs published in the Recueil de décorations intérieures, comprenant tout ce qui a rapport a l'ameublement (1812) and in the particular world depicted on the Gabinete de platino ['Platinum Cabinet'] at the Casa del Labrador royal residence in Aranjuez.
There may also have been some symbolic intent in the isomorphic designs of the acanthus stalks and the dragon: the prominent wings could be taken as a reference to the winged helmet of Mercury, which is the commercial symbol of the Banco de España.
The rug featured here has no woven marks or manufacturer's labels, but the numbers embroidered into the back are certainly a Fundación Generalísimo Franco / Fundación de Gremio product number. The excellent quality and fine knotting (18 x 18 knots/dm2) are consistent with the usual standards of that particular works, so there can be no doubt as to its provenance. However, there are no records to indicate its date of production. The brown background on the main border suggests that it may be from the 1940s, when that colour was very much in vogue for rugs.
Other works by General Franco Foundation – Associated Artistic Industries