Fantastic Bestiary - Lot 7

Fantastic Bestiary Tapestry from the Southern Netherlands Mid 16th century H. 2.23 x W. 3.55 m H. 7ft 4 x W. 11ft Description: The tapestry is composed of two parts: In the lower part of the composition (i.e. two-thirds of the tapestry), real animals rub shoulders with fantastical ones and, together with a hybrid being (a centaur shooting with a bow), emerge from dense, luxuriant vegetation. In the foreground, the ferocious lion attacking a dog symbolizes the eternal struggle between good and evil. This wild forest on the edge of the peaceful life of the villagers contrasts sharply with the theme of the upper composition, in which the peasants are engaged in familiar pursuits. While the struggle between Good and Evil is quite common in Feuilles de Choux tapestries of the second half of the 16th century, the treatment of this theme, with the presence of figures in the upper register of the composition, seems much rarer and would place this tapestry earlier in the period. Materials and condition: The tapestry is woven in wool and silk: warp in wool, weft in wool and silk. Reduced from its original size, this very large fragment is in generally good condition. However, there has been some restoration and reweaving, which is not unusual for a tapestry of this period. Provenance : - Private collection