An Old Testament Biblical needlework panel, European, probably French late 16th century and later

worked in polychrome wool threads on canvas with silk highlights, depicting, 'King Solomon receiving the Queen of Sheba' (2 Chronicles IX), within a four-sided border with exotic creatures and foliate trails, allegorical figures in each corner, all against a brown ground,

Measurements: 299cm. across the top edge, 296cm. along the lower edge, 168cm. up the left side, 169cm. up the right side. Linen lining. Loosely attached across the lower edge. With metal studs attached across the top edge. Recommend attaching Velcro for hanging purposes in the future. There are areas of stiffness in areas, for example underneath the faces, due to areas having glue on the reverse. The original brown ground is extant in minor areas of the ground, with areas of loss showing the foundation canvas, and most areas of the ground have oxidised and have been reworked with shades of hazelnut brown, and the left vertical border is largely reworked overall, with a mixed terracotta colour ground (clearly visible in the photograph), worked adhering to the original design which is the same on the right border. There are some small repairs in other areas, some more finely executed than others. For example there is repair along the top edge of the border including one of cream coloured faces to fantastical creature. Within the main design, there is repair to the original brown highlights in the robe of seated king, which have been largely reworked with terracotta colour. Some of browns in areas have oxidised or been repaired in other areas, for example to shadow of plants in the foreground. Stable condition. Balanced colour and composition. Versatile size. Specialist Comment: Rare survivor of this genre of allegorical wall hanging. Very decorative. Some charming details to the border design and to original worked details in areas.
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For two comparable wool and silk figural needlework panels with similar surrounding ‘grotesque’ motif border designs, which interestingly show differences on both panels, described as French, circa 1550-1580, see Edith Appleton Standen, European Post-Medieval Tapestries and Related Hangings in the Metropolitan Museum,1985, Vol. I, No.41, a&b, pp.260-267, The Garden of False Learning, and The Wayfarer crowned by Happiness, and based on woodcut by David Kandel, dated 1547 (without a border).

For similar border designs, see two embroidered panels, from The Life of Moses, Sotheby’s, London, 21^st October 1955, lot 51 & 52, a hanging depicting The Story of Esther, Sotheby’s, London, 15^th June 1928, lot 161, with the same figure of the lady holding the mirror in the lower right corner, and a panel depicting Aaron before the Pharoah, in the Art Institute of Chicago (described as English, late 16^th century).

See Lanto Synge, Art of Embroidery, History of Style and Technique, The Royal School of Needlework, London, 2001, Chapter Three, Post-Mediaeval Period, pp.85-95, for discussion of domestic furnishings including needlework panels, and two French, late 16^th century examples, without borders, with figures in contemporary dress, pg.89. figs.78&79.