AND SAVONNERIE CARPETS. 277 
instead of fluid colouring. The last efforts of the artist in tapestry 
result not in a copy but in the transfer of character, where the different 
qualities of the model are rendered with a harmony and skill un- 
known in preceding centuries. These productions surpass the ancient 
tapestries as much as modern engraving upon box-wood, executed by the 
most skilful artist, surpasses the engraving upon pear-tree wood of the 
fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. This perfection, the only reason for 
the existence of the actual art of tapestries, does not prevent some 
lingering remnant of the industrial element, though become totally 
subordinate. But it is difficult to go back upon the course of ages ; we 
can no more reproduce the tapestries of the early eras than we can 
restore the Byzantine School of Painting.(a) 
The most ancient manufacturers of tapestry in France, named in 
the registry of trades and merchandize in the city of Paris, bore the 
name of Sarrazinois, From the twelfth century, under the reign of 
Philippe-Auguste, they formed in Paris an important corporation, 
amongst other privileges due to Royal protection, they enjoyed gratui- 
tously an exemption from watching, and from paying to the king tribute 
of what they bought or sold in their trade. They had also permission 
to dye their stuffs. (b) 
These privileges of a certain importance at that time, were justified 
by the peculiar conditions of the industrial work, or, more correctly 
speaking, the art of tapestry, an art requiring a long apprenticeship, a 
variety of learning and information, and considerable expense, all cir- 
cumstances perfectly appreciated, even at the epoch when workers in 
tapestry were classed amongst simple artizans. An exact notion is not 
given of the work executed by the Sarrazinois artisans, which appears to 
have consisted chiefly in a sort of embroidery. This much may be 
affirmed that they did not work in tapestry, and that other artizans 
called tl haute liciers " (high ivarp weavers) established a long time after 
them in Paris, entering into competition, it became necessary, towards 
the end of the fourteenth century, to terminate their differences by an 
union of the two industries in one and the same company. 
This incorporation, commenced in 1301, was finally established by 
the formation of public statutes transcribed in the records of the castle, 
the Saturday after the disputes of the following year. 
The Sarrazinois artists and the artists in tapestry formed separate 
bodies until 1625, when they were united to other bodies of trade having 
very little affinity ; makers of bed cover! g in serges, coverlets woven 
in squares, ticking makers, counterpanes, &c. But already the Sarra- 
<a) These general remarks, it must be understood, only apply to the manu- 
facture of Historical Tapestry, of which the manufacture of Gobelins is, in the 
entire world, the only representative, and has been for a great length of time. 
(b) Thus were named the first materials entering into the tapestry work, silk, 
wo ol, wire-drawn gold or silver, 
Q Q 2 
