Eliezer presenting Rebecca to Abraham
Oudenaarde
Category
Tapestries
Date
circa 1550 - circa 1575
Materials
Tapestry, wool and silk
Measurements
4.8 m (W)
Place of origin
Oudenaarde
Order this imageCollection
Tattershall Castle, Lincolnshire
NT 579420
Summary
Tapestry, wool and silk, 5 warps per cm, Eliezer presenting Rebecca to Abraham, Oudenaarde, c. 1550-1575. To the left an old bearded man sits, opening his arms to welcome a young woman who is presented to him by a man in the centre of the scene. In the left background there is a palace with attendants, and in the right background figures and camels carrying baggage. The tapestry has lost its borders which have been replaced with narrow wool rep galloons. The scene has traditionally been described as ‘Eliezer presenting Rebecca to Abraham’. Abraham sent his servant Eliezer to the land of Canaan where he was born, to find a bride for his son Isaac. Eliezer returned with Rebecca, the granddaughter of Abraham’s brother (Genesis 24).
Provenance
Acquired by George Curzon, 1st Marquess of Kedleston (1859-1925) for Tattershall Castle, and bequeathed by him with the house to the National Trust
Credit line
Tattershall Castle, the Curzon Collection (The National Trust)
Makers and roles
Oudenaarde, workshop