1676 / 1725

1676 / 1725

Identifier
61.157
Transfer of custody
MFA Boston
Acquisition
1896, A. Gouspy (dealer), Paris; January, 1896, sold by Gouspy to Martha Gandy Levitt (Mrs. James Hewitt) Morgan (b. 1873 - d. 1928), Paris and New York state; by descent to her son, Hewitt Morgan (b. 1895 - d. 1967), Brookline, MA; 1961, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Hewitt Morgan to the MFA. (Accession Date: February 8, 1961) / Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Hewitt Morgan
Collection
Technique
Depiction
Dimension
311 cm (height)
258 cm (width)
Production time
Production place
Type of object

Description

A large shield of arms occupies the center, as if hanging freely against a flat background. The points of the cross of the order of St. James of Compostele project from behind the shield. A marquis' coronet surmounts the shield. A small oval cartouche bearing a cypher surmounts this coronet and the cartouche in turn is surmounted by a smaller marquis' coronet. On the ground beneath and behind the shield are placed a cannon, powder keg, cannon balls, drums, and ramrods. Eight banners and standards rise above this military equipment and appear at the left and right of the shield. Garlands of flowers, pieces of armor, shields, and quivers of arrows join together to form an oval frame and the corners of the rectangular field of the tapestry there are single armorial shields surmounted by marquis' cornets. Each of the these shields corresponds to one of the quarterings of the main shield, and each occupies the same position in relation to the field as it does in relation to the shield. The coat of arms has not been identified. A narrow frame-like border encloses the entire composition. It shows conventional acanthus leaves and moldings arranged to suggest a carved and gilded frame.