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La Promenade Part 2 Small
46cm x 100cm
LA PROMENADE [16th Century] - A highly detailed woven tapestry. Original wall hangings are early 16th Century, consisting of a set of six' tapestries now in the Musee de Cluny, Paris. They consist of: The Walk, Reading, Embroidery, The Bath, Scenes of Gallantry and Falconry. They form a portrayal of the favourite pleasures a pastimes of Lords and Ladies at the time of Louis XII, around 1500. The originals are woven on fairly thick warp and the colours are all of vegetable origin. Shading or transition from dark to light, is achieved by means of yellow & white hatching. This process gives the impression of light failing from the top of the panels and creates a strong affect of decorative unity.£126.00
Portiere Licorne
187cm x 75cm
PORTIERE LICORNE 15th century - extract from the Lady and Unicorn Tapestries. The unicorn was fabled for its beautiful shape, its great agility and its virtue. For this reason the unicorn was invisible to all but virgins. Rare and reputedly elusive, the animal was greatly in demand since its horn was supposed to have the marvellous power of counteracting poison. Wine which had been poisoned became harmless if drunk from a unicorn's horn; knife handles made from this substance exuded small beads of liquid if the food was poisoned. Naturally, such a talisman would fetch any price and was avidly sought after by kings and noblemen to protect them from the death by poisoning frequent in the Middle Ages. Unicorns, finally, were also the symbol of purity and of unattainable love£338.00
The Lady of the Fountain
82cm x 88cm
THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAIN - Arthurian legend From an original illustration by Alan Lee, artist and book illustrator. A shining vision in gold appeared to the young Owein, as the fairest, wisest, noblest most generous woman in the world. However, as Owein had just slain her husband, the Black Knight, he had to press his suit with care. The Lady's faithful handmaiden, Luned, helped Owein court her mistress by reminding her that the Realm required a strong guardian. Shown on the left of the tapestry are Owein being escorted by Luned to her Lady's chambers. King Arthur was an enigmatic Celtic leader of the 6th century, but in the Middle pcs his exploits were enlarged upon with such romantic imaginary that by the 12th century when the Knights had been linked to the quest for the Holy Grail he had become the legendary hero of European chivalry.£161.00
Forest
130cm x 174cm
FOREST - 17th century. A fine, high quality Jacquard woven tapestry. Taken from an original wall hanging woven around 1695. In the style of the Mortlake tapestries, London, where Flemish weavers settle under the protection of King James I. The woodland landscape has been framed with an intricate border. The size a shape of this tapestry is ideally suited to hang in a stairwell.£486.00