TWO NORTH EUROPEAN TAPESTRY PANELS OR CUSHION COVERS, ONE DEPICATING A BIBLICAL SCENE, THE OTHER AN ALLEGORICAL SCENE (2)
Probably North German, Late 16th / Early 17th Century
The first depicting the Madonna and Child with attendant patrons and architecture behind, winged putti holding a crown above, borders of leafy garland and fruit with possibly a coat of arms to the bottom edge, 56.5 x 56.5cm; the second with central garden fountain, castle to the background with a female holding a knife and reclining gentleman to the foreground, with a floral border, 56 x 58.5cm
| Estimate: | £1,000 - £1,500 |
| Hammer price: | £1,600 |
These two vibrant small tapestries are associated with a group of tapestries woven in silks and wools attributed to southern Denmark and the Schleswig-Holstein region of North Germany. Workshops are recorded from the 1570s/1580s, established by skilled Flemish immigrants fleeing religious persecution. Small tapestries of this nature were typically conceived as cushion covers and in sets, illustrating related subjects or biblical stories.
For a comparable example see Christie's, London, 30 October 1997, lot 216
Minneapolis Institute of Fine Art, inventory 23.29.1