Portuguese or Spanish, (Andalusia)

Although this textile shows wear, it is still lustrous, and its chenille yarns are still fluffy and splendid. Across its surface a dynamic narrative unfolds, featuring hunters and beasts and boats atop waves. This textile likely once adorned the walls of a room where its story was studied and appreciated. Expertly darned and re-woven passages speak to this work’s value across generations. The large floral motif is similar to that of the marriage quilt hanging behind. Both examples reflect the heavy influence in Spain and Portugal of designs from Goa, India, in the 1700s.