A 17th century tapestry cushion cover

David and Goliath

Circa 1630-1650.Northern Netherlands, possibly Delft or Gouda.

Woven in silk and wool with the central scene of the Philistine giant and the young shepherd within a border of large tulips, roses, and other flowers.

1 Samuel 17

40 And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.

41 And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.

42 And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.

Tapestry cushion covers of the same set were sold as part of the Mayorcas Collection (Christie’s King Street, 1999). A cover depicting an episode from the life of Joseph with an identical floral border is in the collection of the Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Hamburg, and is illustrated as plate 99a in Heinrich Göbel, Wandteppiche (III. Teil, Band 2): Die germanischen und slawischen Länder.

Bordered with gold braid and mounted on a stretcher 22” (56cm) high and 22¾” (58cm) wide.