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TAPESTRY

Creator(s): Imperial Tapestry Factory (Manufacturer)

Currently in storage


About this object

The imperial coat of arms is prominently displayed in the center of this tapestry, surrounded by the coats of arms of the Russian provinces. Given the presence of the imperial eagle, the wreath entwined with the ribbons of all the military orders, and so many provincial coats of arms, it can be ascertained that this tapestry was woven for some official purpose at court. The inclusion of the ribbon for the medal honoring the suppression of the 1831 Polish Rebellion suggests that the tapestry was made shortly after this event.

The Imperial coat of arms is prominently displayed in the center of this tapestry, surrounded by the coats of arms of the Russian provinces. The Imperial double-headed eagle, holding the imperial orb and scepter, is woven of gray and silver threads. On the breast of the eagle appears the image of St. George slaying the dragon, and the crowns over the eagles' heads seem to sparkle with red, jewellike highlights. A laurel wreath is entwined with the ribbons of all the Russian orders: light blue for St. Andrew First Called; red edged in gold for St. Catherine; red moiré for St. Aleksandr Nevskii; orange and black stripes for St. George; red and black for St. Vladimir Equal of the Apostles; dark blue for the Order of the White Eagle; red moiré with a yellow stripe near the edge for St. Anne; and blue moiré with a black band for the medal marking the Subjection of the Polish Rebellion of 1831. The crossed anchors and scepter, the coat of arms of St. Petersburg, is seen to the right of the eagle, while St. George and the dragon, the coat of arms of Moscow, is found to the left. und this are fifty-eight Russian shields of arms alternating with decorative panels woven in silver threads. The border surrounding this is a row of military banners in clusters, then a row of tassels on a brown ground, while the outside border is a meander on a light blue ground.

Object name:
TAPESTRY
Made from:
Silk -- wool -- metal threads -- linen
Made in:
Russia
Date made:
1815–1830
Size:
420.6 × 320 cm (165 5/8 × 126 in.)

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:
42.8
Class:
RUG
Signature marks:
COAT OF ARMS 60 Imperial coat of arms
Credit line:
Bequest of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1973