AUBUSSON MANUFACTORY, France, ca. 1680–1700 - Lot 444

AUBUSSON MANUFACTORY, France, ca. 1680–1700 The Triumph of Mordecai Episode from the Story of Esther, Esther 6:10–12, Chapter VI. Wool and silk tapestry panel, low-warp technique. Part of a series of four pieces depicting the Story of Esther. Remarkably fresh colors; beautiful polychromy. It depicts the solemn royal procession. The sovereign on horseback is Mordecai, whom the Persian King Ahasuerus has paraded on his own royal horse, dressed in imperial purple robes and wearing the crown. King Ahasuerus decides to publicly honor the Jewish sage Mordecai for thwarting a plot against his life. A royal herald, leading the triumphal procession, blows a trumpet, a cor or parade instrument, and carries a banner adorned with a rampart creature—a stylized mythical beast, such as a dragon, griffin, or stylized lion—a way for the artist to symbolize strength and royal majesty using the European heraldic language understood in the 17th century. On the left, we see a hunting dog—probably a spaniel—standing on a bed of finely drawn, multicolored flowers, known as “mille-fleurs” ” in the Middle Ages, notably peonies—a symbol of prosperity, wealth, and abundance—and lilies, which carry strong Christian symbolism: chastity, purity, and innocence. Mordecai has gone from humiliation to honor, and this royal procession helps create an image of triumph and restored prosperity, a theme also reflected in the symbolism of the ground, which represents victory. Also visible in the background are two figures observing the triumphal procession, as well as the city’s fortifications and a castle in the distance. Height: 211 cm Width: 265 cm Tapestry panel mounted on a folding frame. In good condition. Restored. Sources and similar tapestries: Archbishops’ Palace-Museum, Art Trail, Narbonne; Royal Castle of Amboise; Château de La Roche-Guyon, Val-d’Oise; Museums: references for Aubusson tapestry; La Cité internationale de la tapisserie, Aubusson; Royal Castle of Blois; Château de Chambord; Musée de l’Hôtel Sandelin, Saint-Omer, Pas-de-Calais.