"Admiral" Heraldic Carpet
Artist/maker unknown, Spanish, possibly woven by Muslim craftsmen
Geography:
Made in Spain, Europe
Date:
c. 1429-1473Medium:
WoolDimensions:
19 feet 3/4 inches x 8 feet 9 1/8 inches (586.7 x 475 cm)Curatorial Department:
European Decorative Arts and Sculpture
1955-65-21Credit Line:
The Joseph Lees Williams Memorial Collection, 1955
Made in Spain, Europe
Date:
c. 1429-1473Medium:
WoolDimensions:
19 feet 3/4 inches x 8 feet 9 1/8 inches (586.7 x 475 cm)Curatorial Department:
European Decorative Arts and Sculpture
* Gallery 206, European Art 1100-1500, second floor
Accession Number:1955-65-21Credit Line:
The Joseph Lees Williams Memorial Collection, 1955
Label:
Shortly after the Muslims of North Africa introduced the art of making twisted-pile carpets into Spain, the weaving of this armorial carpet was undertaken. It was probably made for the founder of the royal house of Castile, Fadrique Enríquez, who held the titles of Lord of Medina and Admiral of Castile and was the grandfather of King Ferdinand of Spain. His coat of arms—an upright lion beneath two triple-towered castles bordered by anchors and ropes—is repeated three times in the center field. A decorative pattern in the main border at each end, formed by designs that resemble Arabic script, indicates its Mudéjar workmanship.
Shortly after the Muslims of North Africa introduced the art of making twisted-pile carpets into Spain, the weaving of this armorial carpet was undertaken. It was probably made for the founder of the royal house of Castile, Fadrique Enríquez, who held the titles of Lord of Medina and Admiral of Castile and was the grandfather of King Ferdinand of Spain. His coat of arms—an upright lion beneath two triple-towered castles bordered by anchors and ropes—is repeated three times in the center field. A decorative pattern in the main border at each end, formed by designs that resemble Arabic script, indicates its Mudéjar workmanship.
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