Mortlake
February 1623
Woven silk and wool tapestry with gilt-metal- and silver-wrapped thread | 398.0 x 347.0 cm (whole object) | RCIN 1404
Privy Chamber, Kensington Palace
-
One panel from a series of Mortlake tapestries depicting the Twelve Months, apparently based on Flemish designs. The month depicted is February and shows a man chopping wood in front of an arbour where another man ties up a vine, within a wide border of foliate swags, putti and cartouches with the sign of Pisces at the top.
One of a set of six tapestries in the Royal Collection (including RCIN 1405, 1406 and 64108) representing eight months. Full sets are in the Palazzo Tursi and Lord Ilchester's collection.Provenance
Commissioned by Charles I when Prince of Wales. In 1623, writing from Madrid, he directed that payment of £500 should be made for a set of tapestries commissioned by him at the Mortlake Tapestry Factory representing the Twelve Months. In the inventory of 1695 it is noted that this set was on semi-permanent loan from Hampton Court Palace to Windsor Castle.
-
Creator(s)
(tapestry manufacturer)(nationality)Acquirer(s)
-
Medium and techniques
Woven silk and wool tapestry with gilt-metal- and silver-wrapped thread
Measurements
398.0 x 347.0 cm (whole object)
Category
Object type(s)
Other number(s)
Laking FR : Laking, G.F., 1905. The Furniture of Windsor Castle, London – Laking FR p94, pl.25Alternative title(s)
The Twelve Months
