Cluny Lion and Unicorn Tapestry Wall Hanging Set

Extract from The Lady and Unicorn Tapestries. A striking Jacquard tapestry woven in a fine textured weave. The original tapestries are the most celebrated set that have survived from the medieval period. They consist of six, now in the Cluny Museum Paris. Depicting the five human senses & the sixth called "To my only Desire". Designed in Paris & woven in Brussels around 1470 by Williem de Pannemaker for Jean Le Viste (arms shown on the standards), whose family originated from Lyon & served Charles VIII. Note the`mille fleur' (thousand flowers): covered with tiny flowers, among which can be seen violets, primroses, daisies, harebells & periwinkles. The tapestry set shows the Lion supporting the left standard whilst the Unicorn supports the right.

The Unicorn was fabled for its beautiful shape, its great agility and virtue. For this reason the unicorn was invisible to all but virgins. Rare and reputedly elusive, the animal was greatly in demand since its horn was supposed to have the marvellous power of counteracting poison. Wine which had been poisoned became harmless if drunk from a unicorn’s horn; knife handles made from this substance exuded small beads of liquid if the food was poisoned. Naturally, such a talisman would fetch any price and was avidly sought after by kings and noblemen to protect them from the death of poisoning frequent in the Middle Ages.

Our tapestries are created with the greatest care in the finest materials. This tapestry therefore requires no other maintenance other than a dry-dusting with a soft brush. If required please dry clean only.
Fabrics by their nature are flexible, during storage, humidity & temperature may occasionally affect their shape & also cause creasing. To help a tapestry hang better we recommend using a dry iron on a cotton setting. Lightly iron the tapestry (on the face) from the centre towards the edges. In very extreme cases the tapestry can be stretched by p

• Tapestries measure: H75 x L187 cm.


• Small tapestry hanging rod recommended.


• Do not expose to prolonged periods of direct sunlight.