Panel
Object name
Date made
Early 20th century
Place made
Description
Early 20th-century panel depicting a lion and a unicorn standing beneath a blossoming tree on a dark pink background, surrounded by flora and fauna such as rabbits and birds. Meant to be reminiscent of tapestries from the late Middle Ages.
Content description
This is an early 20th-century panel depicting a forest scene set on a dark pink background. The entirety of the piece is worked in straight Gobelin stitch in silk threads. A tree rests upon an oval-shaped patch of grass, and beneath it stand a lion and a unicorn, which face away from the tree with their heads turned to look back at one another. They are surrounded by blue, pink, and yellow flowers, which extend around the entire scene itself, filling up the pink background. Rabbits occupy the oval patch of grass, while animals such as birds and fauns are dotted throughout the rest of the scene. Various fruits, possibly pomegranates, bloom amongst the tree's leaves, and a white-and-red banner is wrapped around part of the tree's trunk.
The predominantly red and green colouration of this piece, as well as its motif of a lion and unicorn, suggest it is meant to be reminiscent of late Middle Ages tapestries such as The Lady and the Unicorn series, rediscovered in 1841. These tapestries predominantly feature lions, unicorns, and trees with the same red-green colour scheme, with various flora and fauna dotted throughout. This embroidery's use of straight Gobelin stitch is meant to be reminiscent of weaving.
The predominantly red and green colouration of this piece, as well as its motif of a lion and unicorn, suggest it is meant to be reminiscent of late Middle Ages tapestries such as The Lady and the Unicorn series, rediscovered in 1841. These tapestries predominantly feature lions, unicorns, and trees with the same red-green colour scheme, with various flora and fauna dotted throughout. This embroidery's use of straight Gobelin stitch is meant to be reminiscent of weaving.
Dimensions
width: 63cm
height: 83cm
height: 83cm
Materials
Stitches
Techniques
Motifs
Catalogue number
RSN.673
© Royal School of Needlework