Items Similar to 17th Century Flanders Biblical Tapestry life of Moses ( 10' x 12'8"-305 x 385 )
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11
17th Century Flanders Biblical Tapestry life of Moses ( 10' x 12'8"-305 x 385 )
About the Item
17th Century Flanders Biblical Tapestry ( 10' x 12'8" - 305 x 385 )
Subject: Scene from a life of Moses Series, probably the reconciliation of Miriam and Zipporah
Period: Late 16th / early 17th century.
Origin: Brussels
No makers mark
Structure:
Warp, wool, tan natural, Z-4-s, 19~20/in.
Weft: wool Z-2, 60-64/in and Silk, Z-2 or z-3, 68-74/in
Iconography: The likely cast of characters is follows:
1. Moses with halo in center, slightly to rear, presiding over the foreground event, the “horns†of the Old Testament text refer actually to rays of light. The goat-like protuberances of later art are really a literal and incorrect reading of the text.
2. The pair of figures on the left hefting an urn-like Ark of the Covenants one of which with a particularly fine back view and striped loincloth, are very Mannerist in style, indicating an origin in Italy, outside the Netherlands, in the circle of some early 16th century artist, possibly Giulio Romano, Mark Antonio Raimondi, Rosso Fiorentino or someone else of that trend. The figures are imported as a unit into the composition. Interestingly the two figures and their burden reappear in the 17th century French tapestry of the Triumph of Alexander after Charles Le Brun, but they have been swung around to nearly parallel the picture plane, although the rear orientation of the figure is still prominent.
3. The two female figure in the foreground may well be A. On the left Zipporah, the wife of Moses; and B. On the right Miriam, the sister of Moses.
4. A servant woman holds the train of Zipporah
5. Other Israelite women. Miriam and Zipporah are reconciled after a long period during which Miriam criticizes and speaks out against Moses and his policies as tribal leader. For this she is punished by God: her skin instead of being the brownish hue of the Israelites becomes white. Only when she ceases her dissent is she healed. This event may be depicted here. (cf Ex.. 4:14-16, Micoh 6:11, Deut. 24:9 for details).
The life of Moses was depicted in various other sets from 1530's on ward with among others the following subjects:
1. Passage of The Red Sea
2. Brazen Serpent
3. Finding Gathering of Manna
4. Moses Receiving The Tables of The Law
5. Rebecca and Eleazar
6. Moses Prohibited from Setting Foot in The Promise Land
7. Worship of The Golden Calf
8. Joshua Defeats Amalek at the Battle of Rephidim
Among the extant sets we may list:
1. The earliest a series of 9 panels (of 10), Brussels, 1530-40, designed by Bernard Van Orley and woven by Jan Gheetels, at Chateau Chateaudunt Somzee Coll.
2. Another set from the same cartoon also woven in Brussels, lacking a makers mark, 1545-1554, 9 panels (of 10) at the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna.
3. Five panels (of 10), c. 1575 woven by Martin Reymbouts in Brussels now at the Chartres Musee De Beaux Arts, given in 1578 to the cathedral by Bishop Nicolas de Thou
4. Two panels (of 10) in the San Francisco Palace of The Legion of Honor; Brussels, c. 1550, possibly by Peter II van Aelst (unknown artist, but the same as that for the panel from the life of Jacob in the same museum, some of the same figures are even used)
5. 7 panels (of 10) from Oudenarde, 2nd half of the 16th century, now Monuments Historiques de France, much more traditional in style and lacking the Italianate mannerist elements. The whole effect is more planar and flat.
The border could have come from a Verdure. The Life of Moses was popular later, and a set of indeterminate size, was woven in 1660’s in Brussels by Jan Parmentier with one panel, in square format, surviving.
Apparently there are other panels surviving from The Life of Moses, but whether they constitute disjecta membra of true a series relating just Moses or whether they are single mosaic episodes along with other O.T. scenes in different cycles is open to question. They could belong with such non-mosaic scenes as Adam and Eve, Noah’s Ark, David and Goliath, Susanna and The Elders, David and Bathsheba, the Judgment of Solomon, etc. to illustrate various salient O.T. events. The border is slightly broken into at the top and bottom centre. The same effect, though more prominent, appears on a 12 Months of The Year series by Jan Franz van den Hecke, Brussels, c. 1590. It is possible that our piece may have some connection with his workshop.
- Dimensions:Height: 0.25 in (6.35 mm)Width: 120 in (304.8 cm)Depth: 152 in (386.08 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:Wool,Hand-Woven
- Place of Origin:
- Period:Early 17th Century
- Date of Manufacture:1650
- Condition:Repaired. Rewoven.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: 188881stDibs: LU4926118945592
About the Seller
4.8
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 1995
1stDibs seller since 2019
413 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: New York, NY
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllMid-17th Century Flemish Tourani Tapestry
Located in New York, NY
Mid-17th Century Flemish Tourani Tapestry
2'9" x 7' - 84 x 213
Category
Antique 1650s Belgian Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
17th Century Pair of Flemish Tapestry ( 2' x 3'4" - 62 x 102 )
Located in New York, NY
17th Century Pair of Flemish Tapestry ( 2' x 3'4" - 62 x 102 )
Category
Antique Mid-17th Century Belgian Baroque Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Silk
Early 18th Century French Tapestry ( 3' X 6' - 90 X 185 )
Located in New York, NY
Early 18th Century French Tapestry
3' X 6' - 90 X 185
Category
Antique Early 1700s French Rococo Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
Pair of 18th Century French Beauvais Tapestries ( 2'9" x 7'6" - 83 x 228 )
Located in New York, NY
Pair of 18th Century French Beauvais Tapestries
2'9" x 7'6" - 83 x 228
Category
Antique 1750s French Western European Rugs
Materials
Silk
Mid 17th Century Brussels Tapestry ( 10'6" x 15'6" - 320 x 472 )
Located in New York, NY
Mid 17th Century Brussels Tapestry ( 10'6" x 15'6" - 320 x 472 )
Title: Mythological scene.
Size: 10’6” x 15’5”
Period: Circa 1650
Origin: Brussels? No mark
Workshop: Unknown
Structu...
Category
Antique Mid-17th Century Belgian Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool, Silk
Mid 17th Century Flemish Tapestry Set2' 6"x 4' 6"
Located in New York, NY
Mid 17th Century Flemish Tapestry Set, Size: 2' 6"x 4' 6"
Category
Antique 1650s Belgian Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
You May Also Like
Antique 17th Century Brussels Old Testament Biblical Isaac Jacob & Esau Tapestry
Located in New York, NY
An antique 17th century Brussels Old Testament Biblical tapestry, size 11 '3 H x 10'10 W, featuring Isaac with his sons, Jacob and Esau, and other figures nearby. Enclosed within an ...
Category
Antique 17th Century Belgian Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Silk
$59,995 Sale Price
20% Off
16th Century Brussels Biblical Old Testament Tapestry, with Moses & Joshua
Located in New York, NY
An antique Brussels biblical tapestry from the late 16th century, attributed to Jan (Ian) Raes, depicting Moses at right, with Joshua kneeling before ...
Category
Antique 16th Century Belgian Tapestries
Materials
Silk, Wool
$69,995 Sale Price
30% Off
Antique Late 17th Century Flemish Old Testament Biblical Cain and Able Tapestry
Located in New York, NY
An antique late 17th century Flemish Biblical tapestry, size: 9'5 H x 6'5 W, envisioning the Old Testament Biblical conflict between Cain and Able, with ...
Category
Antique Late 17th Century Belgian Tapestries
Materials
Silk, Wool
$39,995 Sale Price
20% Off
17th Century Flemish Tapestry Panel
Located in New York, NY
A Flemish tapestry panel from the 17th century, featuring a design of scrolling flowerheads and rosettes, with ribbon-ties and French fleur-de-lys motifs in the upper corners, and po...
Category
Antique 17th Century European Tapestries
Materials
Wool
$4,995 Sale Price
50% Off
17th Century French Tapestry Panel
Located in New York, NY
A French architectural tapestry panel, featuring a pair of regal spiral columns, with elaborate bases at top and bottom, and ringed with floral ...
Category
Antique 17th Century French Tapestries
Materials
Wool
$5,995 Sale Price
53% Off
17th Century Brussels Mythological Tapestry
Located in New York, NY
A Brussels mythological tapestry from the first half of the 17th century, woven by Peter van den Berghen, depicting an interior scene from the st...
Category
Antique 17th Century Belgian Tapestries
Materials
Wool
$54,995 Sale Price
59% Off