Tapestry
Category
Textiles
Date
Unknown
Materials
Wool and silk
Measurements
3048 x 3960 mm
Order this imageCollection
Nunnington Hall, North Yorkshire
NT 980711.2
Summary
One of a set of three French 17th century verdure tapestries, brought back from France by 1st Viscount Preston, depicting floral and plant forms. Colours remaining are gold and blue. Greens and reds have faded. The third tapestry hangs on the main stairs. Updated summary description from report by conservator Alison Stanton 24/07/2020: One of three French 17th century verdure tapestries, brought back from France by 1st Viscount Preston, although from a different set to the other two. The tapestry is complete with its deep borders and original galloons. It hangs in the Drawing Room at Nunnington Hall, on the right-hand wall as you enter the room; the second tapestry hangs on the opposite wall, the third on the main stairs. The tapestry depicts floral and plant forms, with a view through a wooded landscape to a village beyond. In the left foreground a river with two ducks swimming together; a long-tailed bird looks on from a broken tree stump; two large trees on the river bank rise to the top of the main field. In the centre, behind a tree stump, fallen branches and foliage, a dog attacks a bird with its paws, the bird lying on its back. The right foreground contains a group of ivy-clad trees amongst which stands a small wooden gate; beyond this a path leads towards a distant copse of trees. In the background, a tree lined track curves to the right; the rooftops of a village are nestled in a wooded valley, a church spire in the centre. A wooden building is visible amongst the trees on the left hand side. A deep central border extends into the galloon and main field along the top and bottom edges. It is decorated with swags of garlands of flowers hanging from ribbons tied to architectural motifs. There are vases of flowers at the lower corners of the central border and at the mid-point of all four sides.