Asia c. 1750
Woven wool and silk tapestry | 338.0 x 526.0 cm (whole object) | RCIN 28082
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One panel from a series of Brussels tapestries depicting the Four Continents, representing Asia through the annual pilgrimage to Mecca of the camel chosen for the honour of carrying the Kiswa. The Kiswa is the black brocade covering for the Ka’aba (the sacred building at the centre of Mecca). This new cover was sent each year from Egypt; the camel that carried it was thereafter pensioned off for the rest of its life.
Woven in the workshop of the Van der Borght family, which flourished from before 1676 until 1794. One of two panels from this series in the Royal Collection (the other is RCIN 28181) from an original set of five (Africa, Asia, Europe, America and a fifth, The Banquet of the Continents). Around ten weavings have been discovered, including those at Wemyss Castle, Nostell Priory and Mereworth Castle.Provenance
First recorded in the Royal Collection in 1851 when sent from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Holyroodhouse to hang in the Evening Drawing Room for the visit of Queen Victoria.
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Creator(s)
(nationality) -
Medium and techniques
Woven wool and silk tapestry
Measurements
338.0 x 526.0 cm (whole object)
Alternative title(s)
The Pilgrimage to Mecca
The Four Continents
Place of Production
Brussels [Belgium]