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DEVONSHIRE HUNTING SERIES
The Devonshire Hunting Tapestries are believed to have been made between 1430-1450, in Arras, France. They are typical of tapestries of the Middle Ages, though very few tapestries of this scale and quality of design have survived. The V&A acquired these tapestries from the estate of the Duke of Devonshire. It is thought that these tapestries belonged to the celebrated Countess of Shrewsbury, known as “Bess of Hardwick” and were probably from Hardwick Hall, one of her houses in Derbyshire. The hunt was a particularly powerful theme and would have been a familiar pastime as well as an important source of food to the families who owned such tapestries. Henry VIII was known to have owned over 200 tapestries illustrating hawking and hunting scenes.
Devonshire Bears
Devonshire Bears (645 x 250 cm) features a number of elegant couples. In the centre of the tapestry a lady wears a sumptuous blue gown decorated with back-to-front letters that spell the motto 'much desire'. The man's sleeve is decorated with silver shapes that resemble teardrops and probably also relate to the pursuit of love. The rich red gown of the lady further right is lined with miniver, an expensive fur obtained from the bellies of Baltic squirrels.
Devonshire Hawks
Devonshire Hawks (610 x 250 cm) is the only tapestry to focus on a single hunt. The foreground is filled with tiny trees, bushes and flowers, rocky caves for bears and streams with water-fowl. In this setting the huntsmen and their prey crowd across the tapestry in two great tiers subtly linked by intermediate figures, which lead the eye from group to group.
Devonshire Swans
Devonshire Swans (645 x 250 cm) depicts both Otters and Swans. Otters were hunted not to eat but for their skins and because they ate the fish that were needed for the table. Swan meat, however, was highly desirable and here boys are seen robbing a swan’s nest. At one time, swans could be owned only by the royal family but as they gradually escaped into the wild they became fair game for other people, although theoretically they could only be hunted by licence. A ferocious bear hunt is seen on the right with oriental figures wearing turbans.
The Devonshire Hunting Series are available as:
Tapestry Wall Hangings
Printed Linen Panels
Bedhead Printed Linen Panels
Panoramic Wallpaper
