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Home » Arts and Culture » Decorative arts » Wall hangings

Displaying results 1 to 6 out of 6

Page 1

  • Wall hanging (one of a set), c. 1884 which was originally hung in the boudoir, St Fagans Castle. It is of printed yellow cotton velvet, which made up panels to fill in gaps in wooden panelling in the boudoir in St Fagans Castle. The room was decorated prior to Lady Windsor's first visit for the christening celebrations of her son in 1885. The unusual overall pattern of a bird and a dog in a boat, with elaborate floral and leaf motifs was taken from a piece of 15th century Italian silk brocade, with a brown silk ground with pattern brocaded in gold threads, which entered the collections of the Victoria & Albert Museum in 1875. The velvet was probably that purchased in November 1884 'for her ladyship's room' from Wardle & Co of London. The wall hangings appear in a photograph of the boudoir taken in 1892.
Wall hanging (one of a set) from St. Fagans Castle, c. 1884
  • Tapestry made in Brussels during the mid-18th century. It was probably woven by Pieter Van den Hecke. It may have originally been intended as one piece with one half showing a 'kermesse' or village fete, with peasants dancing to a fiddler and violin player; in the background are rustic buildings and trees. Dimensions: 306 cm x 426 cm. It was probably brought to St Fagans Castle by Robert Windsor-Clive c. 1850. The tapestry was cleaned, conserved and re-lined in 1998.
Tapestry from St Fagans Castle, made in Brussels, mid-18th century
  • Mortlake tapestry, Callisto series, c. 1680-1700. Subject: Callisto's pregnancy revealed; very long tapestry, with narrow blue border mottled ? rewoven section on right side; Mortlake mark of red cross on white shield in bottom right corner; inner border of entwined ribbon and pole. Woven with 18 warp threads per inch, 50 wool weft threads per inch and 50-54 silk weft threads per inch. On right side is figure of Diana with her nymphs, one bathing, one holding a bow and a third holding 2 dogs on leads, with a very large tree against which is leaning a bow and quiver. There is a pool in the foreground. Diana is pointing towards a group of figures in the centre. The central group consists of 4 nymphs with Callisto, whose naked torso shows her pregnancy. There are 2 quivers and bows in the foreground with a pair of sandals. The figures are surrounded by a group of trees, with hills and a large patch of sky in the background, and the faint outline of ? a settlement. On the left side are large leaved plants and flowers in the foreground, a large tree and temple ruins in the background. Greens and yellows are faded, but dark and mid blues are largely faded; there are some pinks and reds in garments and a quiver. There are some areas of reweaving, particularly in the shading on Diana's body, and some areas of damage, particularly along top edge, prior to conservation. Brought to St Fagans Castle by Robert Windsor-Clive c. 1850. Purchased by the Museum of Welsh Life with assistance from the National Art Collections Fund; cleaned, conserved and re-lined 2001.
Mortlake tapestry, Callisto series, c. 1680-1700
  • Mortlake tapestry, Callisto series, c. 1680-1700. Subject: Juno transforms Callisto into a bear. Almost square tapestry, with a narrow blue border on four sides, inner border of entwined ribbon and pole design with clasps in corners; Mortlake mark of red cross on white shield in the bottom right corner. Figures of Juno and Callisto are in lower left hand corner, Juno grasping Callisto by the hair; Juno's cloud, with peacock, is immediately behind. Remainder of ground is filled with a woodland scene of large trees and leaves with smaller trees and open ground to the right, and the figure of Callisto transformed into a bear in lower right hand corner. Blue silk of sky has faded to cream and some areas have been rewoven. Greens have faded, red of Juno's cloak only partially faded; deep and mid blues of leaves in fair condition. Some splits a top edge, prior to conservation. 18 warp threads per inch; 60 wool weft threads per inch and approximately 64 silk weft threads per inch (sky, highlights and border). The tapestry was brought to St Fagans Castle by Robert Windsor-Clive c. 1850. It was purchased by the Museum of Welsh Life with assistance from the National Art Collections Fund; cleaned, conserved and re-lined 2001.
Mortlake tapestry, Callisto series, c. 1680-1700
  • Mortlake tapestry, Callisto series, c. 1680-1700. Subject: Jupiter prevents Arcas from killing Callisto. Rectangular tapestry, narrow blue border on 4 sides, with inner border of entwined ribbon and pole design. Mortlake mark of red cross in white shield in bottom right corner. Subject consists of the youth Arcas on right side aiming an arrow at his mother Callisto in the form of a bear (on left) Jupiter is above on a cloud with his eagle, and the foreground is filled with large trees, grass, plants and undergrowth. The background includes hillocks, trees, bushes and a distant village (in centre). An arc projects above Jupiter's head with astrological signs of Gemini and Cancer (indicating the transformation of mother and sons into constellations), woollen threads are dark blue, mid blue, greens and browns (blues mainly unfaded), red of Jupiter's cloak and Arcas' garments slightly faded. Highlights, figures, sky, zodiac signs and village are worked in silk. Blue silk of sky mainly faded to cream. Numerous areas of reweaving and some weak areas at top edge prior to conservation. 20 warp threads to the inch; 56-60 wool weft threads per inch; approx 50 silk weft threads per inch. It was brought to St Fagans Castle by Robert Windsor-Clive c. 1850. The tapestry was purchased by the Museum of Welsh Life with assistance from the National Art Collections Fund; cleaned, conserved and re-lined 2001.
Mortlake tapestry, Callisto series, c. 1680-1700
  • Embroidered wallhangings, part of a set from a room in Bryncunallt, Chirk, made by Prudence Trevor, c. 1710-20.
Embroidered wall hangings from Bryncunallt, Chirk, c. 1710-20