The Unicorn Is Found, ca. 1495–1505
Southern Netherlands
Wool warp; wool, silk, silver, and gilt wefts; 12 ft 1 in. x 12 ft. 5 in. (368 x 379 cm)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Gift of John D. Rockefeller Jr., 1937 (37.80.2)

The lymerer with his scent dog is revealing the unicorn in its hiding place to the hunting party. The hunting horn on his hip will be used to announce the release of the hounds when the unicorn is roused and running.

The lower ranks of huntsmen used hunting horns made of hollowed ox horns, but the upper classes often had horns made of ivory, which were later superseded by metal horns. Hunting horns could communicate whether a game animal had been sighted, what species of animal it was, if it was at bay, or if it had been caught and killed. It also could sound emergency signals when a hunter was lost or hurt.

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