Hand-woven in Brussels, circa 1650, this wool and silk tapestry depicts a church scene with six clergymen at an altar. After roughly 375 years, the colors are still vibrant, highlighted by fabrics of blue that punctuate the predominately gold, cream, and brown fibers of the textile.

Two young bishops, possibly receiving their consecration, kneel on the steps of the altar, dressed in a cassock beneath a chimere, with one holding a thurible and the other a biretta. A third bishop stands in front of them, as two elder clergymen look on from the right of the altar. The older of the two holds a crozier and a biretta with arms extended from beneath a luxurious blue and gold ferraiolo. On the opposite side of the altar is the sixth and final bishop, who is wearing his biretta and holding a mitre. The luxurious altar is adorned with tall gilt candlesticks, marble columns, and blue fabric with gold foliate motifs.

Tapestries have been used for centuries to decorate castles and chateaus, also doubling as insulation for cold, winter days. Our Belgian wool and silk tapestry dates to the end of the Late Renaissance or early Baroque period and would make a grand decorative wall hanging for a den, living room, or lining the wall of a staircase.

CONDITION: Very good antique condition with light age separations. The back has been lined with brown fabric more recently, which is also the case for the gold and green border, which has minor lifting.