A Flemish Allegorical Metal-Thread Tapestry, Brussels third quarter 17th century

woven with personification of Apollo the Sun-God, with with harp, quiver and bow, and laurel wreath and starbursts, within an elaborate surround of husk columns with flowers and fruit and flower flanked golden wreath narrative cabochon, `Sol', within a further border of golden scrolls on a blue ground, with the Brussels town mark and shield,  B*B, and the weaver's initials, G.V.D.S. (Geraert van der Strecken), along the lower edge of blue ground, with gold-thread to the background in top left and right corners, and silver-thread detailing to sunbursts, Sol, harp and the border, and cabotage detailing to the brooch clasp of the tunic

Colours of catalogue image are stronger than in reality. More subtle and more delicate shades in reality. The yellow hue in areas vertically up right side of figure, through harp and border, and sections of the yellow scrolling in the right border, are the effect of printing (moray effect) and the bright yellow is not there in reality. The scroll in border is delicate lemon yellow, and the terracotta colour in the stem is lighter shade. The selvedge is navy blue not royal blue. Tapestry is lined. There are old hoops attached across the top edge. Recommended that Velcro added for future hanging purposes. Some small repairs, for example within repairs to sky, which come across in the image as the lighter areas, to left side of figure near shoulder (cream in reality and not pink as appears in the photograph, the top edge of the harp, and the top right corner underneath the fruit swag. The face of the figure is in good condition. Metal threads tarnished, commensurate with age. Highly decorative piece of versatile size.
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