Roundel with Candelabra Plant and Animals

Description

A bright polychrome tapestry roundel is applied to a linen tabby with self-bands. The roundel has a double border of a scale design (purple and black) and a stylized acanthus scroll. The center of the red roundel is filled with an elaborate candelabra plant motif with symmetrically arranged birds and lions around it. The birds are green and wear white ribbons suggesting they are domestic. The maned lion looks over his back and holds a vine tendril in his mouth. Many of the white outlines in the design have been executed by weft wrapping and remain where most other wefts have worn away. Half of this textile has lost its wefts, but what survives indicates the original design was mirror symmetrical.