Large 17th Century Flemish Tapestry

Large 16th-17th Century Flemish tapestry. 

Old Testament subject of King Solomon, standing before his tent in armour and receiving a gift of two peacocks, from an old merchant who kneels before him. Behind this figure is a squire with a falcon on his wrist, also wearing a hoop upon which other birds are perched, a young boy and two ‘aides-de-camp’ stand behind the King. While in the background are horsemen following sporting pursuits. The exceptional border showing friezes symbolising the earth, water and fire. Size 370cm x 318cm - later reduced and folded under at the bottom.

Provenance:

Private collection in the UK. Purchased at an auction of Rippon Boswell on 13 October 1973, subsequently restored by Fiona Hutton & Frances Lennard.
A comparable can be found in the Rijksmuseum: 'God’s Covenant with Noah’. The cartoon for this tapestry was part of a set from Wawel Castle. This set was made for Margaret of Parma – her coat of arms can be seen in one of the top corners. It is worth noting that the weavers involved – the Pannemakers, were one of the most prominent workshops in the 16th century.