Brussels Tapestry

Description

Reference No.: 78J/ D273

Origin: Flanders-Brussels

Period: 16th century

Provenance: Private Collection

Composition: Wool and silk

Dimension: W 3.50 x H 2.90

"AINSSI SAID CYRUS THE KING OF PERSIA"

Important historical tapestry of the 16th century Brussels manufactory woven in wool and silk: wool warp and wefts in wool and silk.

Our tapestry has as its register one of the episodes of King Cyrus,

Scenes from Esther's book:

"AINSSI SAID CYRUS THE KING OF PERSIA"

The action takes place after the destruction of the first Temple of Jerusalem and the exile in Babylon. About half a century after Nebuchadnezzar's victory, his empire fell into the hands of King Cyrus II of Persia. Although he authorized the return of Jews to Judea, many continue to live in diaspora in the Persian Empire.

Esther is the l of the tribe of Benjamin, one of the two tribes that constituted the Kingdom of Judah before its destruction by the Babylonians and the deportations of the kingdom's elite to the provinces of the Persian Empire.

Esther lives with her uncle Mordecai, who is a civil servant at the palace of the Persian king Ahasuerus in Sushan. The king has just repudiated Queen Vashti because she refused to attend a banquet and he is looking for a new wife. Mordecai decides to involve Esther in the selection of the new queen. Esther is chosen and thus becomes the new wife of Ahasuerus and Queen of Persia. Minister Haman (or Aman), who is the son of Hamedata, a descendant of Agag, an Amalekite king and hereditary enemy of the Jewish people, decides to exterminate all Jews in the kingdom.

Esther will ask the king to rescind his minister's decree. After a three-day fast, she presented herself to the king to ask him the favor of accepting her invitation to dine in her suite with Haman. At a second dinner, she informed the king of her religion and the Haman decree on the elimination of Jews from the kingdom. She obtained from the king the right for Jews to defend themselves on the day they were attacked and according to some writings, the king, in the interests of justice, went so far as to have his prime minister executed for almost causing great harm to the inhabitants of his empire.

Esther is seen as an instrument of God's will to prevent the destruction of the Jewish people, protect them and ensure their peace during their exile in Babylon.

Our house assures you the sale of a tapestry with invoice and approved expertise, well cleaned, in good condition with its fixing system. If necessary, we will inform you of the work that has been done. All our tapestries can be presented to you at your home in France and neighbouring countries before your final decision.