In a message dated 11/23/03 5:00:48 AM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<< Does anybody know when and how the tapestry "La Dame � Licorne" came into the Cluny Museum at Paris. I saw them twice so I know it and I learned it belonged the Le Vista family at Boussac castle. But what happened over the centuries till it came into the museum. >> ----------- Dear Lacemakers, Remember that Google is a very good search vehicle for locating works of art. I guessed that "La Dame a Licorne" translates to "Lady and the Unicorn", which is a set of tapestries at the Cluny Museum, Paris. A Google search of "Lady and the Unicorn" turned up at least 10 listings where further Information can be found. There were also listings under "La Dame a Licorne" showing they were at the Cluny, so I think I am correct in my translation. About 27 years ago, this set of tapestries and the "Unicorn Tapestries" set owned by the Metropolitan Museum and exhibited at The Cloisters in New York, were joined together in one large exhibit. Very inspiring. Through the years, someone must have made laces from elements of either/both sets, since it was a common 19th Century practice to interpret fine art in laces. Has anyone seen any such laces? Currently, there is a project in Scotland (Sterling Castle) to reproduce the "Unicorn Tapestries" (as tapestries), per Jean Leader and a news item in "Embroidery", the magazine of The Embroiderers' Guild, England. Jean, Ilske and I went to The Cloisters to see the tapestries during the IOLI Seminar, and I suppose that is why the subject has become more interesting to Ilske. Unicorns have been embroidered extensively, because (for just one example) a unicorn (facing a lion) is on the British Arms. This depiction has probably never been finer than in Lady Evelyn's whitework embroidered interpretation (on view at Blair Castle, Scotland). The technique of metalwork embroidery is used for the British Arms on the Queen's privy purse, in which she carries her speeches to Parliament. The purses are replaced at intervals, most obviously because of tarnishing silver threads used for the unicorn, and I saw a new embroidery being prepared for a purse at The Royal School of Needlework's workrooms 25 years ago (would have been her 25th year as Queen). I'd like to know if there are unicorn laces from the two sets of unicorn tapestries! Probably Devon would, also! Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace and Embroidery Resource Center - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
