17th Century Antique Tapestry from Royal Manufacture of Mortlake

Object Description

Title: ‘’Jeux d’Enfants”
Royal Manufacture of Mortlake, 17th Century
Composition: Wool & silk
Dimensions: 225 x 415 cm

Its horizontal format and ingenious composition make that piece artistically fascinating. It represents nine children, playing and squabbling in a garden near a palace. Away, stands a city, its church and a bridge.

The lush vegetation and water fountain give this scene a joyful and poetic aspect. Mortlake’s tapestries are rare, especially in such perfect conditions.

Object History

Private collection, France

Object Literature

Mortlake Tapestry Works

The proposal to establish a tapestry works at Mortlake came from king James I in 1619. It was to be under the management of Sir Francis Crane who undertook the recruitment of weavers and to meet the cost of building and fitting up premises. In return he was to receive a fee, the exclusive right to weave tapestries of all sorts for 21 years and they were to be free of customs duties. Since there was no effective pool of labour in England Flemish workers were brought in great secrecy mainly from Brussels and the Low Countries (Belgium) where tapestry weaving was a major industry. It was agreed that some of the masters would be naturalized on the word of Sir Francis. The craft was to be taught to suitable boys in the orphanages of the City of London. The City agreed to pay their maintenance during the seven-year apprenticeship and Sir Francis would supply the looms and the materials. The works were first established on John Dee’s estate in Mortlake, later the site of the Queen’s Head pub.
The Mortlake weavers were highly skilled in depicting natural textures and effects such as flesh and water. Their products can be seen in many museums and English country houses.

Object Condition

Excellent condition with minor restoration

Object Details