TWO SHELDON BIBLICAL TAPESTRY PANELS

LATE 16TH EARLY 17TH CENTURY

Details

TWO SHELDON BIBLICAL TAPESTRY PANELS
Late 16th early 17th Century
Woven in wools and silks, depicting scenes from the life of Bathsheba, one panel depicting Bathsheba before the seated David, flanked by a soldier and two elders, the background with an open landscape, the other with Bathsheba before the bath, flanked by two maidens, the background with a townscape and to the right with an open landscape behind a fountain, both beneath a columned arch, within a later metal-thread frame, previously part of a larger panel, now mounted on board, areas with reweaving and patching
9 in. x 12 in. (24 cm. x 30 cm.) (2)

Lot Essay

One evening David, King of Israel, walking on the roof of his palace saw the beautiful Bathsheba taking a bath. He had her brought to his palace and made love to her which caused her to become pregnant. Her husband Uriah was in David's army. David asked Uriah's army commander to place him at the front of the battle to get him killed, which indeed happened and David was thus able to marry Bathsheba. The child she gave birth to died soon and David did penance.

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