Disclaimer. Collectalia is not a legal, tax or insurance advice site. The information on this page is general and based on French legislation in force as of 09/11/2026: it may change, does not necessarily apply outside France and does not take your situation into account. Always have it checked by a notary, a lawyer, an accountant or your insurer before acting on it.
Key points
- An Aubusson tapestry, an antique rug or an art textile is identified by its author, its factory or workshop, its dimensions and its technique.
- The condition and the history of restorations weigh as much as the attribution in the valuation.
- Light, dust and moths are the three enemies: conservation has to be planned and recorded.
Aubusson tapestry, antique rug, art textiles: what to keep track of
A tapestry, a rug or an art textile is not described like a painting. You need to know who designed the model (the author of the cartoon, or carton), where the piece was woven (the factory or workshop, for example an Aubusson factory), and sometimes by whom (the weaver, or lissier). The same composition may have been woven several times: the copy number and the date of weaving then matter a great deal.
Next come the dimensions, often large, the technique (high-warp, low-warp, knotted pile for a rug), the materials (wool, silk, cotton) and the marks visible on the back: selvedge label (bolduc), woven signature, tag. These are the details the expert will ask you for first.
What a tapestry or rug record contains
| Field | What it is for |
|---|---|
| Author of the cartoon or artist, title or designation | Identify the work and its creator. |
| Factory or workshop, weaver | Place the weaving; the same composition may come from several workshops. |
| Copy or edition number | Distinguish the successive weavings of the same cartoon. |
| Technique and materials | High-warp or low-warp, knotted pile, wool, silk: key elements of the valuation. |
| Dimensions | Plan hanging, transport, rolled storage and insurance. |
| Signature, selvedge label, inscriptions on the back | The most sought-after clues of authenticity. |
| Condition reports, restorations and their invoices | Follow the evolution of the piece and justify its value. |
| Photos of the front and back, certificates, valuations | Prove the real condition and the value at a given date. |
The sub-categories separate tapestries, rugs and art textiles, so you can quickly find a piece or produce a list by type.
Conservation and restoration
Textiles are fragile, and a few common-sense rules avoid a great deal of damage. Keep them away from direct sun, which fades colours. Avoid damp walls and radiators. Dust gently and regularly, because dust wears the fibres and attracts insects. Inspect the back and hidden areas to spot moths early. To store a piece, roll it rather than folding it.
For a restoration, turn to a restorer who specialises in textiles. Each time, note the date, the person who carried it out, the nature of the work and the cost, with before and after photos. Also make a condition report before any loan, transport or move.
Value and insurance
A large tapestry or an antique rug can represent a significant value, and yet they are often forgotten in home insurance policies. Have them valued, keep the dated valuation with its author, and check with your insurer that the pieces are named specifically. To choose the right type of cover, read our guide agreed value or declared value.
Succession
An inherited tapestry without a file risks being poorly valued or sold without its origin being known. Note what you know of its provenance (purchase, inheritance, date), store the invoices and certificates with the record, and state your wishes: to whom the piece should go, and which expert to approach. For the value to use in an estate, consult your notary (notaire).
Photos from your phone and sharing
Photograph the whole piece from the front, then the details: signature, selvedge label, borders, worn areas, and the back. Soft, even light renders the colours better than a flash. To have a selection valued, share it through a password-protected, time-limited link. If you also own paintings or sculptures, see our page on works of art.
With Collectalia
Collectalia files each tapestry, rug or art textile in a complete artwork record: artist, title, technique, maker or workshop, edition, dimensions, signature, certificates, and custom fields for the weaver or the cartoon. Photos taken from your phone by scanning a QR code, condition reports, restoration costs, successive valuations, location and loans, insurance policies with a reminder before renewal, a Succession module. Free trial, free read-only access for the family.
Disclaimer. Collectalia is not a legal, tax or insurance advice site. The information on this page is general and based on French legislation in force as of 09/11/2026: it may change, does not necessarily apply outside France and does not take your situation into account. Always have it checked by a notary, a lawyer, an accountant or your insurer before acting on it.