Antique 18th Century French or Flemish Verdure Tapestry Fragment Throw Pillow, French Silk Passementerie
The rich elegance of centuries old French tapestries have always drawn me, pulled me through museums, and chateau, palaces and exhibitions. They often represent the work of many people, and many years. Tapestries were made on warp, weaving intricate images with natural dyed wools and silks, then were hung as (often) massive wall hangings that both told triumphant or colloquial stories and kept out the drafts of those stone walls. Basically, insulation that doubled as praise of the King or Queen, or the Nobility's conquests, or biblical scenes incorporating the Chateau's owner, family. The remnants are sought after, and I've collected them for 40 years. Some have made their way into pillow tops. The one you see here is so rich in color and appeal, a perfect salvage of greenery or foliage, "verdure". Its colors have not faded in the 200-300 years since the Master weavers of Aubusson or Beauvais or Flemish ateliers worked it. Full measurements noted on the photos. Very good to excellent