Rare 17th Century Mythological Tapestry Depicting Diana the Huntress and Actaeon

Fountain and Architecture This narrow silk and wool tapestry fragment dates to the 1600s and is from Brussels. It is depicting a statue of the Greek God, Hermes (Mercury to the Ro...

This is a large, horizontal fragment of a late 17th century Beauvais tapestry. Beauvais tapestry manufacture was one of the most well-known tapestry workshops in France. Beauvais was...

Produced during the Louis XIV period, in the 1600’s, this colorful cartouche and trophy décor tapestry was hand-woven using wool and silk. Originally part of a much larger wall covering, the fragment has been placed over a linen backing and a navy-blue border now surrounds the scene. The quality of the craftsmanship of the fragment is quite apparent. Vibrant gold, green and blue hues still shine brightly, which are offset by darker colors such as brown and deep red. If you look closely, you will see gradient colors being used to depict shadows and movement in clothing. The scene features a man with a walking stick in his hand talking to a woman standing behind a baluster railing. Both are clad in flowing garments, with the woman in blue and the man wearing a light pink tunic...

This tapestry from the mid to late 1600’s depicts the Forging of the Arms of Achilles. The figure on the right, Thetis, mother of Achilles, has commissioned armor for him to use in the Trojan War. Kneeling down with the helmet of Achilles in hand, is Hephasteus, God of fire, metal working, masonry, and blacksmiths. This piece was manufactured by Aubusson around 1670, based on the design by Issac Moillon (Painter of the King). Another tapestry like this can currently be seen in the Hospices of Beaune (Nicole de Reynie`s. Sylvain Laveissie`re. "Isaac Moillon (1614-1673), un peintre du roi a` Aubusson". Somogy, 2005, p. 158 a` 180.) A photo can be seen on the French Ministry of Culture website. Some fragments have been slipped in which are not perfect to the area’s scene, but, were perhaps part of the rest of this tapestry which was too damaged to use. The tapestry weavers who wove the faces, hands, feet and bodies of the people in tapestries were at the top in terms of skills. This weaver was superb in the depiction of all of the people. Note the delicacy of the hands of Thetis. For those who appreciate the truly old and beautiful without requiring perfect condition will cherish this 345 year old textile...

Hand-woven by a workshop in the early 1700’s, this tapestry fragment features a lush fruit and floral display with swag and rams’ heads. The rams’ heads are located in the upper corn...

Hand-woven in Brussels, circa 1650, this wool and silk tapestry depicts a church scene with six clergymen at an altar. After roughly 375 years, the colors are still vibrant, highlighted by fabrics of blue that punctuate the predominately gold, cream, and brown fibers of the textile. Two young bishops, possibly receiving their consecration, kneel on the steps of the altar, dressed in a cassock beneath a chimere, with one holding a thurible and the other a biretta. A third bishop stands in front of them, as two elder clergymen look on from the right of the altar. The older of the two holds a crozier and a biretta with arms extended from beneath a luxurious blue and gold ferraiolo. On the opposite side of the altar is the sixth and final bishop, who is wearing his biretta and holding a mitre. The luxurious altar is adorned with tall gilt candlesticks...

Our extraordinary 17th century tapestry from Brussels, in the manner of Jacques II Geubels (-1633), depicts Zeus and Hera being handed the world. 10 feet 8 inches by 13 feet 3 inches...

An 18th century Brussels mythological hunting tapestry, size 9' H x 8' W, depicting the Roman goddess of the hunt, Diana, reposing in a forest setting with her attendants, with one h...

A Franco-Flemish mythological harvest tapestry from the 17th century, featuring the Roman goddess of the hunt, Diana, aiding people who are fishing in...

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...

A French Aubusson mythological tapestry from the 17th century, depicting the Spartan king, Menelaus, seated at left, sending his brother...

A Flemish (possibly Antwerp) mythological tapestry from the “Story of Achilles” series, woven in the second half of the 17th century, envisioning a scene in which Achilles’ mother, T...