A Brussels mythological tapestry fragment, from the story of Achilles, after Peter paul Rubens mid 17th century

Achilles, Ulysses and Nestor in the center, the borders composed of two caryatids, one as Athena and the other as Artemis, an ermine and owl at their feet, the upper section decorated with putti upholding a garland.

Sold, Phillips, de Pury & Luxembourg, New York, June 11, 2002, lot 82

This episode from the life of Achilles probably originally included a scene with the daughters of Lycomedes.  Thetis knew that her son was fated to die if he went to Troy, so she sent him to the court of Lycomedes on the Aegean island of Scyrus.  At Thetis’ insistance, Lycomedes dressed Achilles as a girl.  Odysseus came with a recruiting party in search of him, and Lycomedes denied the boy was there.  Eventually discovered, Achilles ignored his mother’s fears and volunteered eagerly for the war.  At the age of fifteen he was made Admiral of the Greek fleet.  The ermine symbolizes purity of justice and the female owl, war.