Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Unicorn Tapestry


Paris - Latin Quarter: Musée national du Moyen Age - La Dame à la Licorne - "Sight"
Originally uploaded by wallyg
I hope you like unicorns too! I saw this series of 6 tapestries, called "The Lady and the Unicorn", which are housed in Paris in the Musee de Cluny (Musee National du Moyen Age), when my dh and I visited Paris.
These were woven in Flanders of wool and silk ca. 1490 and are one of the greatest art treasures of the Middle Ages.
The Cloisters in New York has a series of beautiful unicorn tapestries too, also woven in ca. 1490.
The unicorn tales are fabulous, and several novels focus on unicorns and painters find them engaging subjects. I wonder how the artists entice these graceful creatures to hold still and pose.
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14 comments:

  1. Antique ART GardenJune 30, 2010 at 10:52 AM

    I love antique tapestries, saw the collection of the ones at the Met in NY about 2 1/2 years ago. Too gigantic and beautiful, wall tapestries, thanks much, Gina

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  2. GARAGE SALE GALJune 30, 2010 at 11:14 AM

    Hi Terra,
    Unicorns would be awesome! and sweet little fairy's too!
    Thanks for visiting me.
    Warmly,
    Deb :)

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  3. BumbleVeeJune 30, 2010 at 11:29 AM

    imagine them being created all those years ago and still looking like that! What craftsmanship! and, how beautiful....

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  4. E. CharlotteJune 30, 2010 at 11:48 AM

    It's so interesting that unicorns were such a subject and muse in that era. Very beautiful tapestry! :)

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  5. Beth in NCJune 30, 2010 at 1:02 PM

    That is beautiful! I can only imagine how much richer it looked in person!

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  6. AmritaJuly 1, 2010 at 7:44 AM

    Wow this is gorgeous.

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  7. TerryJuly 1, 2010 at 10:20 AM

    Howdy Terra
    Oh my your tapestry is beautiful .
    Wall tapestries are so wonderful they cover so many layers of art and history along with much imagination they can keep one enthralled for hours if one has even a touch of imagination .
    There are two lovely ones at work and they truly provide me with a much needed diversion .
    Thank you for sharing your Unicorn with us .
    Have a wonderful rest of the week .
    Until next time
    Happy Trails

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  8. JamieJuly 1, 2010 at 3:29 PM

    I love this collection of tapestries. I've seen pictures, but never the real thing, how beautiful the must have been to see!
    Thanks for finding me :)

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  9. The Old ParsonageJuly 1, 2010 at 4:08 PM

    Oh this tapestry is wonderful. MY DH has a few from Guam, he was stationed there in the 80s while in the Air Force.

    Leann

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  10. PattyJuly 1, 2010 at 4:53 PM

    Thanks for your visit to my blog. As for the unicorn, I've heard that only a Virgin can see them and tame them. Interesting don't you think?

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  11. MelindaJuly 1, 2010 at 8:13 PM

    Beautiful.
    Unicorns are sooo facinating.

    Thanks for stopping by and leaving acomment. Please drop by again and join the fun!

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  12. Rebecca NelsonJuly 2, 2010 at 11:04 AM

    Hi Miss Terra...

    Please use the Christmas graphics for whatever you want! Thanks for the heads-up though! VERY SWEET!

    ENJOY sweet friend~

    Rebecca

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  13. koraleeJuly 2, 2010 at 9:46 PM

    Oh I adore tapestires...thank you for sharing..happy 4th of July my friend. xoox

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  14. StacieJuly 5, 2010 at 5:44 PM

    Terra, thanks for your nice comment on my blog. Would you believe that I love unicorns too? I collected them as a child and had them all over my room in all different forms. I look forward to keeping in touch with you too!

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