EARLY 16TH CENTURY

Details

A FRANCO-FLEMISH BIBLICAL TAPESTRY
Early 16th century
Woven in wools, possibly depicting King Ahasuerus enthroned on the right dismissing his wife, Vashti, similarly enthroned on the left with courtiers and attendents, a bethrothed couple between them with lovers in landscapes beyond, in a clustered fruit and foliate border and fawn slip, the left border replaced, extensive reweaving and patching
8ft. 5 in. x 16ft. 10 in. (255 cm. x 512 cm.)

Provenance

William James, West Dean.

Special notice

VAT rate of 17.5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer’s premium

Lot Essay

King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) of Persia dismissed his wife Vashti because she had offended him. Instead the King chose Esther, not knowing she was Jewish. Esther was an orphan and had been raised by her uncle Mordecai. Haman, the King's chief minister, hated the Jews and Mordecai and decreed that all the Jews in the Persian Empire should be massacred. Mordecai asked Esther to intercede with the King, which she did at great risk by entering into the King's presence without having been summoned to. Although even forbidden for the Queen, she entered and was accepted by the King, who stretched his arm out with his golden scepter in acknowledgment. Haman was hanged by the King and Mordecai and all the Jews were saved.

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