Items Similar to Antique 17th Century Flemish Mythological Tapestry Mercury Janus Sabine Women
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6
Antique 17th Century Flemish Mythological Tapestry Mercury Janus Sabine Women
$285,000
£216,529.64
€248,838.04
CA$400,317.45
A$435,735.46
CHF 230,880.63
MX$5,240,378.26
NOK 2,935,588.31
SEK 2,690,141.87
DKK 1,858,804.99
About the Item
A museum quality piece, this is an exquisite example of a 17th century antique Flemish mythological tapestry depicting Mercury, Janus, and the Sabine Women. It measures 9.5 x 13.7 ft and is in excellent condition with vibrant colors.
We know this tapestry was based on Roman Mythology because it depicts the Janus, the god of transitions, who only appears in Roman Mythology and has no equivalent in Greek Mythology.
On the right, it depicts the Mercury, in his signature winged helmet and winged sandals, who functioned as the emissary and messenger of the gods in Roman Mythology. He is holding a caduceus, his signature staff with two snakes intertwined around it, in his left hand. It is said the wand would wake the sleeping and send the awake to sleep.
On the left, it depicts Janus, the god of beginnings and transitions, who presided over passages, doors, gates and endings, as well as in transitional periods such as from war to peace. He was usually depicted as having two faces looking at opposite ways, one towards the past and the other towards the future.
As a god of beginnings and transitions both in literal and abstract ways, he was also responsible for motion, changes, and time. He was present in the beginning of the world, guarding the gates of Heaven, and he also presided over the creation of religion, life, and even the gods. He was probably considered the most important Roman god, and his name was the first to be mentioned in prayers, regardless of which god the worshipper prayed to.
This tapestry depicts the aftermath of a myth where Janus played an important role. Romulus, one of the founders of Rome, kidnapped the Sabine women, helped by his men. Janus saved the women by creating a volcanic hot spring which erupted and buried the kidnappers in the mixture of boiling water and volcanic ash. We see the hot spring in the center of the piece and Mercury rising above a cloud of ash where he has buried the kidnappers. On the left, we see the Sabine women safe, preparing garlands and placing one upon Janus' head.
This is likely the final tapestry in a suite of three or four tapestries depicting the full allegory of the Rape of the Sabine Women.
- Dimensions:Height: 113 in (287.02 cm)Width: 163 in (414.02 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)
- Style:Renaissance (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1600-1699
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: T2421stDibs: LU5138121543792
About the Seller
5.0
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 1972
1stDibs seller since 2019
114 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Mineola, NY
- Return Policy
More From This Seller
View AllAntique 16th Century Brussels Baroque Mythological Tapestry with Angel
Located in New York, NY
Tapestries were ubiquitous in the castles and churches of the late medieval and Renaissance eras. At a practical level, they provided a form of insulation and decoration that could b...
Category
Antique 16th Century Belgian Baroque Tapestries
Materials
Tapestry, Wool
Antique Square Late 17th C. Brussels Baroque Mythological Tapestry Mars Venus
By Brussels Manufactory
Located in New York, NY
A Museum Quality piece, this is an exquisite example of a late 17th/ early 18th Century Brussels Baroque Mythological Tapestry. It is a complete piece with its original border, measu...
Category
Antique Late 17th Century Belgian Baroque Tapestries
Materials
Tapestry, Wool
Antique Large Mid-17th Century French Aubusson Historical Tapestry
Located in New York, NY
This is a gorgeous antique late 17th Century French Aubusson historical tapestry depicting a beautiful and rich summer scene of a countryside with lush trees and vegetation, with a m...
Category
Antique 17th Century Dutch Baroque Tapestries
Materials
Tapestry, Wool
Late 17th C. Franco-Flemish Biblical Tapestry Reconciliation of Jacob and Esau
Located in New York, NY
This is a gorgeous antique Late 17th Century Franco-Flemish Biblical Tapestry depicting the Reconciliation of Jacob and Esau. The tapestry illustrates the Old Testament story of Jaco...
Category
Antique Late 17th Century Belgian Baroque Tapestries
Materials
Tapestry, Wool, Silk
Large Antique 17th C Flemish Verdure Tapestry with Children (9.5 x 11.5 ft)
Located in New York, NY
This is a gorgeous antique 17th century Flemish Verdure Tapestry depicting the noble children playing in the woods. The p...
Category
Antique Late 17th Century Belgian Baroque Tapestries
Materials
Tapestry, Wool
Extra Large Antique 17th C. Flemish Verdure Landscape Tapestry 8.6 x 17.1 ft
Located in New York, NY
This is a gorgeous and large antique Early 17th century Flemish Verdure landscape tapestry depicting a beautiful and rich summer scene of a countryside with lush trees and vegetation...
Category
Antique 17th Century Belgian Baroque Tapestries
Materials
Tapestry, Wool
You May Also Like
Large Flemish 17th-18th Century Baroque Figural Tapestry "A Royal Courtship"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine and large flemish 17th-18th century Baroque figural tapestry "A Royal Courtship" depicting an allegorical courting scene of a young princess meeting her prince at the watchful eye of a mesmerized queen standing behind her. A young girl supports the princess' dress train...
Category
Antique Early 1700s Belgian Baroque Tapestries
Materials
Wool
$49,850 Sale Price
47% Off
17th Century Flemish Verdure Mythological Tapestry of Paris Taking Helen to Troy
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A spectacular flemish 17 century combined verdure and mythological handwoven wool tapestry in a simple palette of beige, green, brown and blue, framed with a complete floral border a...
Category
Antique 1660s Belgian Baroque Tapestries
Materials
Wool
$24,000 Sale Price
20% Off
17th Century Flemish Mythological Tapestry
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Beautiful and well preserved 17th Century Flemish mythological tapestry, possibly Wauters Workshop, Flanders, Antwerp. Retaining good colour and backed in Belgium linen. With some be...
Category
Antique 17th Century Belgian Baroque Tapestries
Materials
Tapestry
Franco-Flemish 18th Century Figural Tapestry Allegorical to "Triumph
Love"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine baroque Franco-Flemish 18th century figural tapestry allegorical to triumph and love, depicting three maidens within a verdure backgro...
Category
Antique 18th Century Belgian Baroque Tapestries
Materials
Wool
$38,450 Sale Price
48% Off
16th Century, Flemish Storied Wood Tapestry
Located in IT
16th century, Flemish storied wood tapestry
Flanders Brussels
The beautiful and precious tapestry, of fine workmanship and made with wool yarns, was made in the 16th century in F...
Category
Antique 16th Century Belgian Renaissance Tapestries
Materials
Wool
Antique 17th Century Flemish Historical Tapestry, Featuring Dido and Aeneas
Located in New York, NY
A French Aubusson historical tapestry from the late 17th century, depicting Aeneas relating his adventures to Dido, from 'The Story of Dido and Aeneas'...
Category
Antique 17th Century Belgian Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Silk
$44,995 Sale Price
50% Off
More Ways To Browse
Tapestry Mythology
Janus Head
Poland Tapestry
Tapestry Portugal
Antique Needlepoint Sampler
Aubusson Hunting Tapestry
Egypt Wall Hanging
French Flower Tapestry
Macrame Wall Art
Mid Century Bird Tapestry
Mid Century Macrame
Persian Silk Tapestry
The Lady And The Unicorn
Victorian Sampler
Vintage Tapestry Panel
Wissa Wassef
Antique German Tapestry
Biblical Tapestry













