A Spanish wool Cuenca Carpet, early 20th Century

Active from the 15th century, the Cuenca manufactory in Spain was one of the leading centers for carpet production in Western Europe. Initially influenced by Moorish art, its designs quickly evolved to embrace Gothic and later Renaissance styles, aligning with the tastes of the Spanish elite.

These wool-knotted carpets are noted for their technical quality, featuring geometric or floral patterns, structured borders, and occasionally coats of arms or religious symbols. Their color palette—elegant and restrained—favored shades of red, blue, ochre, and cream.

Highly prized by the court, aristocracy, and religious institutions, Cuenca carpets reached their peak during the 16th and 17th centuries. Though production declined in the 18th century, these works remain valued today for their artistic and historical significance.