Enghien (Netherlands), c. 342 x 368 cm, mid-16th century. The present, almost square piece is fully preserved, woven with wool and a low percentage of silk, and mounted entirely on supporting linen. The galloon (outer narrow border) is partly supplemented. Several repairs due to age. The leafy Netherlandish verdure tapestries, with fantastically lobed, curved teasels, ooze a profoundly Baroque character and can be attributed – in spite of their Brussels borders – to Enghien, Audenarde or Grammont.
In the middle of the upper border is a head with a poppy in its mouth – a recurring motif also in other important ‘green tapestries’. The labyrinth of vegetal decorations hides a large number of birds, hares and two mythical creatures, such as, to the left, a camel or alpaca-like creature, which is usually featured with a rider in comparable pieces.

Further reading:
Guy Delmarcel, Flemish Tapestry, pp. 168–176;
Adolfo Salvatore Cavallo, Medieval Tapestries in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, ill.: 52;
Heinrich Göbel, Wandteppiche, Die Niederlande, part I, vol. II, ill.: 256, 470, 471 and 476;
Roger-A. D’Hulst, Flämische Bildteppiche des XIVIII. Jahrhunderts, pp. 257–262.