Fleurdelysée Tapestry with the Arms of France Royal... Lot 43

Fleurdelysée Tapestry with the Arms of France Royal Aubusson Manufactory 18th century, Louis XV period H. 2.88 x W. 4.59 m H. 9ft 5 x W. 15ft1 Description: On an intense navy blue background adorned with repetitively arranged old gold fleurs-de-lis, stand out the arms of France (gold fleurs-de-lis on an azure background) supported by two angels. The arms of France are surrounded by the collars of the Order of Saint Michael (founded by King Louis XI) and the Order of the Holy Spirit (founded by Henry III). The tapestry is framed by a superb gold-and-brown border decorated with royal attributes. In the upper corners, ships under sail. In the lower corners, the king's cypher: two Ls for Louis. This figure is repeated in the center of the side borders in a different font. The Louis XV period for this piece was chosen because of the auriculated, asymmetrical shape of the support for the arms of France. This tapestry certainly comes from a provincial parliament, perhaps a port city. References Jean Feray, Les Tapisseries décorées d'armoiries in Tapisseries françaises du XVIIe siècle, Dossier de l'Art, September 1996, pp. 58-63: "As can be seen on several representations of the "lit de justice", a solemn session of parliament attended by the king, the rooms of the courts of justice were generally hung with tapestries decorated with fleurdelys, some of which may have had emblems specific to each region, but all of which bore the arms of France. Generally destroyed during the Revolution as a sign of a disgraced regime, some of these pieces have survived, such as those of the Parliament of Normandy in Rouen, or the slightly different one of the States of Brittany in Nantes. Material and condition: Woven in wool and silk (wool warp and wool and silk weft). Good condition, bright colors, slightly reduced in width. Exhibition: - European Tapestry in French Museums, Musée Historique National de Rio de Janeiro, pp. 62-63, June 24 - August 15, 1999, reproduced in catalog, p. 62. Notice by Nicole de Pazzis-Chevalier. Provenance : - French private collection, Château de l'Ouest de la France.