A Charles X Savonnerie carpet, France

Jacques-Louis de La Hamayde de Saint-Ange-Desmaisons, known as Saint-Ange (1780-1860) was the most influential designer of Savonnerie carpets during the second half of the First Empire and much of the Bourbon Restoration period.  He studied with the neo-classical designers Charles Percier and Alexandre-Théodore Brongniart and from 1806 to 1810 designed for the porcelain manufactory at Sèvres and for the Gobelins workshop.  He designed carpets for the Savonnerie from 1810 until around 1831.  The designs of Saint-Ange were extremely successful and were widely imitated by other designers and manufacturers including Aubusson, Sallandrouze and Beauvais. 

During this period of dramatic political upheaval and social change within France the classical patterns associated with the Napoleonic Empire were adapted to suit the style of the Restoration Court.  All emblems and symbols linked to the Napoleonic regime were removed from the design repertoire and the lush cornucopias, central rosaces, horns of plenty, floral baskets, swagged garlands and brilliant colors of the Restoration were introduced by Saint-Ange to great acclaim.