A Flemish Gothic court scene tapestry, probably Brussels early 16th century

woven with a group of figures in an interior setting, with a centrally seated crowned young male holding a staff and seated underneath a twisted column supported canopy with red floral damask backcloth, surrounded by various standing courtiers, and onlooking armoured guards, a young elaborately helmeted and draped figure standing in front of him, shown holding an elaborate sword, all dressed in rich floral damasks and velvet robes, hats and fur collars, the floor carpeted with richly decorated foliate motif textile covering, landscape visible in far corners beyond the columns and architectural features, the sides flanked by narrow columns, all within a narrow four-sided bronze and yellow banded border decorated with alternating blue cabochon and lozenges and white beads at the sides, and beads alone along the horizontal borders, with later selvedge

Tapestries of this period depicted Biblical, Classical and Allegorical subjects with figures dressed in contemporary dress.  For a comparable `Scene at a Royal Court'  tapestry panel, with large figures with striking clothing, textile flooring, within contained space and with similar horizontal borders, the tapestry dated circa 1500, Brussels, (221cm x 257cm) is catalogued and illustrated in Anna Bennett, Five Centuries of Tapestry, The Fine Art Museums of San Francisco, 1992, pp.50-51, no.9.

The colours are not as bold in reality, but more subdued and with a subtle attractiveness. This tapestry has been professionally lined in the past, with linen backing. The outer selvedge is later. There are metal hooks across the top. Recommended that Velcro attached for hanging in the future. Balanced composition and colour overall, panel is of versatile size. In stable condition. Some old repairs of various ages and some reweaving, commensurate with age. Some of which are visible in the photograph as areas of different colours. Decorative tapestry with wonderful evocation of a luxurious court in the interpretation of clothes, and textile robes and hangings. Finely woven faces. Charming examples of early weaving technique, such as eccentric weave and hachures.
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