Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10

Large Late 17th Century French Tapestry of Artemis and Callisto

$14,500
£11,043.32
€12,729.04
CA$20,285.40
A$22,799.45
CHF 11,873.35
MX$277,297.71
NOK 151,934.09
SEK 144,078.29
DKK 95,001.20
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

During the 17th and 18th century Greek mythology was a common theme depicted in high-end French tapestries. Particularly Louis XIV who was very interested in depicting scenes from Greek mythology, as part of the royal propaganda promoting classical ideals of power and civilization. Here we have a late 17th century tapestry depicting the tale of Callisto and Artemis. Callisto was a nymph and follower of the goddess Artemis who was known for her hunting skills and chastity towards men in all forms. Any follower of Artemis was also sworn to the same vowes of celibacy. It was a joyous life of hunting and frolicking in the woods, totally independent and free from the patriarchy. But classic Zeus wanting what he can’t have, disguised himself as Artemis and tricked Callisto into sleeping with him, and she became pregnant. When Artemis discovered this, Callisto was turned into a bear. Years later, her son, Arcas, nearly killed her while hunting, not recognizing her. To save them both, Zeus transformed them into constellations: Callisto became Ursa Major (the Great Bear) and Arcas became Ursa Minor (the Little Bear), keeping them together but forever apart in the sky. Moral of the story, Zeus is a dick. Late 17th Century French Tapestry. The narrow boarder indicates it would have originally been fixed inside wooden panelling. Repairs that have been undertaken over the years and is structurally strong and visually stunning. Can be hung on hooks or Velcro. W 174cm x H 196cm Sourced in Paris 🇫🇷
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 77.17 in (196 cm)Width: 68.51 in (174 cm)Depth: 0.79 in (2 cm)
  • Style:
    Louis XIV (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Wool,Hand-Woven
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
    Late 17th Century
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1690's
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    LYON, FR
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU8595242694852

More From This Seller

View All
Large 17th Century Aubusson Tapestry
By Aubusson Manufacture
Located in LYON, FR
Stunningly vivid late 17th early 18th century Aubusson tapestry. Strong Verdure themes with a scene depicting Bathsheba and David in the centre. An unusually large amount of silk was...
Category

Antique Late 17th Century French Aubusson Tapestries

Materials

Wool, Silk

18th Century Abstract Tapestry Collage
By Aubusson Manufacture
Located in LYON, FR
Early 18th-century abstract tapestry collage. Something I have never seen before. A 300 year old abstract tapestry made from fragments of potentially nine seperate works. To me, thi...
Category

Antique 1840s French Aubusson Tapestries

Materials

Wool

Very large 1700's Aubusson Verdure Tapestry
By Aubusson Manufacture
Located in LYON, FR
Very large Aubusson Tapersty Circa 1720's. ‘Verdure’ (foliage) tapestries were woven throughout the 17th and 18th Centuries, featuring wooded landscapes, reflecting the interest in b...
Category

Antique 1720s French Aubusson Tapestries

Materials

Wool

Huge early 1700's Verdure Aubusson Tapestry
By Aubusson Manufacture
Located in LYON, FR
French Aubusson woven tapestry from the early 1700's depicting a lizard standing in luscious vegetation. Created in Aubusson, located in central France. Interestingly this vertical w...
Category

Antique 1720s French Aubusson Tapestries

Materials

Wool, Silk

19th Century Aubusson Tapestry
By Aubusson Manufacture
Located in LYON, FR
Beautifully vivid, 1860-1870 Hand-woven Aubusson French Tapestry. Bought in St Ouen Paris. Warm fresh earthy tones, with amazing detail all in excellent condition. This piece has ha...
Category

Antique 1860s French Medieval Tapestries

Materials

Wool

1750's Feuilles d'Aristoloche Flemish Tapestry
By Flemish
Located in LYON, FR
Mid-1700's “Feuilles d'Aristoloche” tapestry. Very orgininal, esoteric feeling Flemish tapestry. Has been freshly cleaned and is in structurally good condition. Interestingly, the...
Category

Antique Mid-17th Century Belgian Baroque Tapestries

Materials

Wool

You May Also Like

French 16th Century Antique Aubusson Tapestry
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A 16th Century, or earlier, Aubusson tapestry is vibrant and in wonderful antique condition. Its original border is completely intact and designed with florals, foliage, and birds. T...
Category

Antique 16th Century French Other Tapestries

Materials

Tapestry

Large Early 18th Century Flemish Tapestry
By Guillaume Wernier
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
An early 18th Century Flemish tapestry woven in Lille by Guillaume Werniers. The flower vendor and his young assistants offer their flowers to the local nobility, the background of a...
Category

Antique 18th Century French Country Tapestries

Materials

Tapestry

French Louis XIV Verdure Tapestry, Aubusson, 1680
Located in Rome, IT
A fine Louis XIV verdure tapestry, Aubusson woven with a wooded river landscape with view of neighboring chateaux, in good four-side floral border. Measure: cm 200 x 300. France, sec...
Category

Antique Late 17th Century Belgian Louis XIV Tapestries

Materials

Wool

17th Century French Baroque Tapestry
Located in Allerum, SE
17th century French Baroque wool and silk tapestry. Work of Felletin, ca 1690 France.
Category

Antique 17th Century French Baroque Tapestries

Materials

Wool, Silk

Franco-Flemish 18th Century Figural Tapestry Allegorical to "Triumph & Love"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine baroque Franco-Flemish 18th century figural tapestry allegorical to triumph and love, depicting three maidens within a verdure backgro...
Category

Antique 18th Century Belgian Baroque Tapestries

Materials

Wool

Exceptional 17th Century Aubusson Tapestry Wall Hanging
By Aubusson Manufacture
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A truly exceptional 17th Century Aubusson tapestry wall hanging. Dating to the second half of the 17th Century, depicting a mythological scene of a King accompanied by centurions or ...
Category

Antique Late 17th Century French Tapestries

Materials

Tapestry