Border Fragment with an Allegory of Reason
Flemish
Category
Tapestries
Date
circa 1550 - circa 1570
Materials
Wool and silk
Measurements
84 x 142 cm
Place of origin
Belgium
Order this imageCollection
Polesden Lacey, Surrey
NT 1247045
Summary
Border Fragment with an Allegory of Reason, Flemish, probably Brussels, c. 1550-1570. A small tapestry fragment with a female figure in the centre seated on a chariot inscribed with the word ‘ERATIO’. At each side of her are herms wearing laurel wreaths, and above her swags of leaves hang from architectural scrollwork below a small lion’s head. Either side of the central section are iris plants with exotic birds beneath their leaves and hanging flowers above. A decorative reddish pole with a ribbon twisting around it borders the two iris plants, and there is a dark blue galloon around all four edges. A strip around 10 cm deep at the bottom has been rewoven, as have the upper and left hand galloons. The fragment probably once formed part of the border of a larger tapestry. In the mid sixteenth century it was common for the borders of large figurative tapestries to include small allegorical scenes or figures whose subjects could compliment the main action. The inscription on the chariot, ‘ERATIO’, may be a version of ‘Ratio’ Latin for 'Reason'. (Helen Wyld, 2012)
Provenance
The bequest of Margaret (Anderson) McEwan, The Hon. Mrs Ronald - later Dame Margaret - Henry Fulke Greville, DBE (1863-1942) from probate records linked with the donation of the property to the National Trust in 1943. This item found on the record for Polesden Lacey Central Hall, page 3
Credit line
Polesden Lacey, the Anderson Collection (The National Trust)
Marks and inscriptions
Below central figure: ERATIO
Makers and roles
Flemish, workshop probably Brussels , workshop