The
Tapis
Français
Collection
An homage to the golden era of rug design
The Tapis Français Collection is an homage to the golden era of rug design, when the most influential modernist painters of the 20th century designed and produced rugs from a small French workshop.
Expanding the spirit of this era to contemporary rugs, Elte establishes a dialogue between past and present by bringing abstract compositions to life using a 16th century Persian knot that is rarely seen today.
A story of art and architecture in the mezzanine of Le Corbusier’s Mill Owners’ Association Building.
The Tapis Français Collection was photographed at the Mill Owners’ Association Building in Ahmedabad, India. Designed by Le Corbusier and constructed in 1954, the brutalist structure is a physical manifestation of the architect’s vision of modernism.
Modernist principles were shared among art and design of the era, unifying the spirit of the original inspiration for Elte’s collection with the architecture in which it was photographed.
The curvilinear motif of is complemented by the sweeping curves of the auditorium.
as the last light of day filters through the brises-soleil.
illuminated by a spill of light from the mezzanine.
Aside
The inspiration for the Tapis Français Collection began in June of 2020 when I, like so many others who faced lockdown during the pandemic, turned to books as my primary source of inspiration. I came across a few books that uncovered a tremendous shift during the 1950s and 1960s, when the most influential modernist painters of the 20th century embraced rug design.
In homage to this golden era of artistic expression, I’m honoured to share Elte’s Tapis Français Collection. Over three years in the making – the longest period we’ve taken to bring a collection to life – our endeavour went beyond mere tribute; we were determined to ensure that these rugs would seamlessly complement contemporary homes and sensibilities. Expanding on the spirit of the original carpets, we made the bold decision to execute our designs using a 16th century Persian knot, a weaving technique that had largely been forgotten since its last use in the early 1900s. This harmony between past and present is the philosophy that underlies all of Elte’s rug collections.
Through this collection, we hope to encourage more artists to collaborate and experiment with this extraordinary medium. Rug design opens up a world of artistic possibility, offering texture and dimension that can’t be replicated on canvas. It’s a realm where artists can explore different materials, weaves, and finishing techniques that bring their designs to life as tactile objects.
Jamie Metrick