A Swiss Renaissance tapestry depicting The Last Supper, possibly Aargau, second half 16th century

With French & Company, New York

H. Göbel, Wandteppiche: die germanischen und slawischen Länder, Leipzig, 1923, vol. I and vol. II, p. 187, no. 169b

Colors bolder than they appear in the catalogue image, with less of an overall yellow tone in reality. Early restorations and reweaving throughout, particularly through lower half of bottom section of armorials. Early reweaving from left shoulder of far left figure down through table and half of the stool on the lower left, and through far left armorial devices. Early reweaving in upper horizontal band above windows. Otherwise small restorations throughout, small stain in center of table. Small chips to frame. good colors, will benefit from cleaning. Charming piece.
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This charming tapestry depicts an early interpretation of The Last Supper thought to have been woven in a monastery in Aargau, Switzerland (Göbel, op. cit. 187).

The coats of arms prominently displayed along the bottom of the composition are that of the Heymans, Zacoma, Lorraine, Brabant, Gamaches and Hund de Salheim families. The House of Lorraine, known as Habsurg-Lorraine lineage, is one of the longest reigning royal houses in Europe, and remains active today with Archduke Karl of Austria. The presence of the House of Lorraine Coat of Arms supports the idea of the presumed origin of this tapestry as Aargau, as the Habsburg family founded many of the monasteries in this region.

RELATED LITERATURE
J.B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Lyon 1950, vol. 1, p. 949, vol. II, p. 1131