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Fragment of a Tapestry or Wall Hanging

ca. 1420–30
Not on view
This tapestry fragment represents a fabulous lionlike beast with pointed teeth, clawed feet, and a scaly rump. Such beasts, derived from those illustrated in classical texts like the Physiologus and medieval bestiaries, represent vices. Here the figures posed with them seem to have tamed their libidinous cravings. Such tapestries were displayed in homes providing decoration as well as insulation.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Fragment of a Tapestry or Wall Hanging
  • Date: ca. 1420–30
  • Geography: Made in Basel, Switzerland
  • Culture: Upper Rhenish
  • Medium: Wool and linen
  • Dimensions: 29 5/8 × 34 1/4 in. (75.2 × 87 cm)
  • Classification: Textiles-Tapestries
  • Credit Line: The Cloisters Collection, 1990
  • Object Number: 1990.211
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

More Artwork

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Two Riddles of the Queen of Sheba, Linen warp; wool, linen and metallic wefts, Upper Rhenish
Two Riddles of the Queen of Sheba
Upper Rhenish
ca. 1490–1500
Hector of Troy (?) (from the Heroes Tapestries), Wool warp, wool wefts, South Netherlandish
Hector of Troy (?) (from the Heroes Tapestries)
South Netherlandish
ca. 1400–1410
Joshua and David (from the Heroes Tapestries), Wool warp, wool wefts, South Netherlandish
Joshua and David (from the Heroes Tapestries)
South Netherlandish
ca. 1400–1410
Tapestry with Armorial Bearings and Badges of John, Lord Dynham, Wool warp; wool wefts with a few silk wefts, South Netherlandish
Tapestry with Armorial Bearings and Badges of John, Lord Dynham
South Netherlandish
ca. 1488–1501
Christ Is Born as Man's Redeemer (Episode from the Story of the Redemption of Man), Wool warp; wool and silk wefts, South Netherlandish
Christ Is Born as Man's Redeemer (Episode from the Story of the Redemption of Man)
South Netherlandish
1500–1520

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