TAPESTRY WALL-HANGINGS - MEDIEVAL 'MILLE-FLEURS'
In the 15th Century tapestries usually illustrated a story, and often depicted scenes from everyday life such as wool-working or grape-gathering. During this period, tapestries decorated with a 'mille-fleurs' (thousand flowers) background originated from the Loire Valley region of France, and this style became very much in vogue. This style was inspired by the custom of strewing cut flowers on fete days in Medieval times. Perhaps some of the finest examples are the series of 'The Lady with the Unicorn' tapestries, woven circa 1490, which hang in the Cluny Museum in Paris.
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A PARTICULAR TAPESTRY AND DO NOT SEE IT HERE, PLEASE DO CONTACT ME AS I CAN SUPPLY MANY MORE THAN I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO LIST SO FAR ON THE WEBSITE! All tapestries are loom-woven unless otherwise indicated. For details of hanging rods, please click.
 LION PORTIERE Detail from "The Lady" series of tapestries. 186 x 71 cm £280 |
 UNICORN PORTIERE Detail from "The Lady" series of tapestries 186 x 71 cm £280 |
 THE EMBROIDERY Loom woven tapestry 92 x 87 cm £320 |
 KNIGHT AT MONTACUTE (silk screened tapestry) This mille-fleurs tapestry originated from the Loire Valley in the 16th century, and is of a mounted knight in armour riding his warhorse and carrying his standard. The Coat of Arms is that of the commissioner of the original tapestry which now hangs at Montacute House nr. Yeovil, Somerset 107 x 87 cm £375; 173 x 143 cm £825 |
.jpg) UNICORN AT THE FOUNTAIN A late 15th century tapestry from Flanders. Metropolitan Museum, New York. 84 x 63 cm £118; 119 x 85 £230 |
 GATHERING AT THE FOUNTAIN 148 x 112 cm £470 |
 WOOL-WORKERS Early 16th century, Loire Valley workshops. The subject depicts peasants shearing sheep, winding wool, and weaving on a small box-loom. 70 x 115 cm £310; 94 x 142 £490; 130 x 185 £875. Also available with blue border (as per Departure for the Hunt and Country Picnic), 63 x 87 cm £118; 86 x 117 cm £230
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 DEPARTURE FOR THE HUNT A group of noblemen set out from the castle on a falconing expedition; 16th century. 62 x 81 cm £118; 86 x 112 cm £230 |
 COUNTRY PICNIC An early 16th century tapestry from Flanders. 62 x 81 cm £118; 86 x 112 cm £230 |
 THE CAPTIVE UNICORN A late 15th century 'mille-fleurs' tapestry from Flanders. Now at the Metropolitan Museum, New York. 140 x 93 cm £550; 190 x 130 £1025. Also available as silk-screened tapestry 173 x 128 cm £1495 |
 LADY WITH THE UNICORN - THE TASTE One from a series depicting the five senses woven c. 1490; Cluny Museum, Paris. 92 x 122 cm £575 |
 NOBLE AMAZONE A 16th century tapestry from the Loire Valley. A richly-dressed lady is accompanied by her page. 92 x 140 cm £595; 128 x 180 £995. Also available as silk-screened tapestry 139 x 194 cm £775
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.jpg) 'THE TOUCH' (silk screened tapestry) The Lady is touching the Standard and the horn of the Unicorn. 241 x 231 cm £1750 |
.jpg) 'THE TASTE' (silk screened tapestry) The Lady takes a delicacy from a dish offered by her maid. 84 x 107 cm £375; 139 x 171 cm £825; 216 x 272 cm £1750. Also available as loom-woven tapestry 48 x 70 cm £75; 70 x 100 cm £176 |
.jpg) 'THE SMELL' (silk screened tapestry) The Lady receives a carnation while the monkey behind her is smelling a flower. 100 x 84 cm £375; 229 x 203 cm £1750 |
.jpg) 'THE SIGHT' (silk screened tapestry) The Lady looks at the Unicorn, which is reflected in the mirror, whilst the Lion keeps a vigil 86 x 96 cm £375; 220 x 250 cm £1750 |
 "HEARING" (silk-screened tapestry) The Lady is playing a portative organ, whilst her maid works the bellows. 117 x 88 cm £475; 205 x 145 cm £1075 |
 "THE TASTE" - BLUE (silk-screened tapestry) A fine 'mille-fleurs' tapestry in the style of the Medieval period. The Rampant Lion with Coats of Arms indicates that this tapestry was commissioned by nobility. Also available in Red. 140 x 100 cm £2395 |
 LADY WITH THE UNICORN - THE TENT/A MON SEUL DESIR Woven circa 1490, Cluny Museum, Paris 48 x 70 cm £75; 70 x 100 cm £176 |
 A MON SEUL DESIR Discovered at the Chateau de Broussac in France in 1844, and now in the Cluny Museum. 85 x 113 cm £240; 110 x 147 cm £370; 147 x 193 cm £650 |
 THE SECRET GARDEN Against a mille-fleur background, noblefolk are pursuing activities typical of the 15th century. From an original tapestry at the Museum of Art, Cleveland, Ohio. 71 x 95 cm £184; 108 x 147 cm £460; 146 x 200 cm £720 |
.jpg) LA DANSE (silk-screened tapestry) A late 15th century tapestry from the Loire Valley. A piper is playing an accompaniment to the dancing. 102 x 179 cm £625 |
 THE CONCERT (silk screened tapestry) Circa 1500, from the Loire Valley. A nobleman is playing a shawm while the lady accompanies him on a hammered dulcimer. 115 x 87 cm £350; 190 x 147 cm £1025 |
 THE LECTURE (silk screened tapestry) A nobleman reads from a parchment scroll whilst the lady winds wool on a distaff for spinning. Cluny Museum, Paris. 112 x 81 cm £350; 190 x 143 cm £1025 |
 THE VINTAGE/MEDIEVAL WINEMAKERS A late 15th century tapestry depicting the picking of grapes and making of wine. 48 x 84 cm £85; 72 x 122 £198. Also available with red 'grapes' border: 63 x 98 cm £128; 86 x 137 cm £260 |
 THE VINTNERS/MEDIEVAL WINEMARKET A late 15th century tapestry depicting the barrelling of wine and its transportation to market. 48 x 84 cm £85; 72 x 122 £198. Also available with red 'grapes' border, 63 x 98 cm £128; 86 x 137 cm £260 |
 NOBLE PASTIMES From "La Vie Siegneuriale" woven c. 1500 in the Loire Valley, now in the Cluny Museum. 92 x 234 cm £860 |