Lot n° 176
Estimation :
3000 - 4000
EUR
Result with fees
Result
: 7 000EUR
AUBUSSON TAPESTRY - Lot 176
AUBUSSON TAPESTRY
Minerva and Arachne
Mid-17th century.
Woven in wool and silk, warp in wool, weft in wool and silk.
H.: 2.89 m x W.: 2.75 m.
Designed by Isaac Moillon (1614-1673), painter to the King in Aubusson.
Lot presented by Nicole de Pazzis-Chevalier, expert in antique tapestries and European carpets.
References
- Pierre Grimal, 1979, Dictionnaire de la Mythologie, p.43.
- Catalog of the exhibition Isaac Moillon, un peintre du roi à Aubusson, Musée départemental de la tapisserie, Aubusson, September to June 2005.
Provenance: Purchased in 2011 from Sté Ouest-France, whose premises it adorned.
Iconography: Arachné, young daughter of Lydia, had acquired a great reputation in the art of weaving and embroidery. She was said to have been a pupil of Pallas (Minerva), goddess of wisdom and just wars, but also of embroiderers and spinners. However, she wanted her talent to be hers alone. This led to a competition with the goddess, which Arachnea did not win.
The composition is set within a beautiful border decorated with flowers au naturel, ostrich feathers in the upper corners and gold vases in the lower corners. Some wear and restoration, but the colors still appear fresh.
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