A NORTH GERMAN BIBLICAL TAPESTRY PANEL

FIRST HALF 17TH CENTURY

Details

A NORTH GERMAN BIBLICAL TAPESTRY PANEL
First half 17th Century
Woven in wools and silks, depicting The Judgment of Solomon, with Solomon seated on his throne in the centre within an arcaded recess with a baldequin above to the left with a soldier holding an infant and a further soldier behind him, and to the right with pleading family members, the foreground with an infant and a dog, to each side with a fruiting and floral band, and within a later blue and yellow outer slip, minor of reweaving and patching, now mounted on board
28 in. x 30 in. (71 cm. x 76 cm.)

Lot Essay

Taken from the Old Testament, the story tells how Solomon was called upon to judge between the claims of two prostitutes who lived in the same house and had given birth to a child at the same time. One infant had died and each woman claimed the living child. To determine the truth, Solomon ordered a soldier to bring out a sword and for the child to be cut into two equal halves, one for each woman. At this, the true mother revealed herself by renouncing her claim to the child in order that its life be spared.

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