TAPESTRIES WITH WINGED STAGS – HISTORY OR FANTASY
To get a glimpse into the world of the Winged Stags wall tapestry we have to project ourselves into a time machine that takes us back to a period known as the dark ages during the medieval period. The year is 1453 and a war in Europe has been raging for 100 years or so. The century before and up to 1453, Europe was subjected to one disaster after another. The black plague, famine as a result of failed crops due to planetary shifts, and the never ending 100 years war that drained the coffers of kings, nobility and people alike were the tragedies of the times and all documented in tapestries known as the Apocalypse Series. The church and populace believed the world was coming to an end, and the Apocalypse tapestries were a product of that prediction.
Finally, in 1453, the 100 years war came to an end with the victory of Charles V11 in France over the English. Peace was restored to Europe. And it is believed that the Winged Stags wall hanging tapestry was woven to commemorate that victory. The entire tapestry wall hanging would be rendered a fantasy, if it was not for the banner held by the Winged Stag bearing the coat of arms of Charles VII. Historians believe that tapestries depicted with winged stags possibly represent kingship or in Christianity, a messenger from God. The lions on either side represent bravery, valor and royalty. Tapestries with Unicorns and Winged Stags that are shown within an enclosure have different meanings. In the case of the hand woven tapestry the Winged Stags historians believe that the enclosure represents France.
Regardless whether these tapestries with unicorns and winged stags are considered historical woven documents or just stunning pieces of art, they are our link to the past, not unlike our own turbulent and troubled times. And the nice part is – a reproduction hand woven tapestry, similar to the original is available from Heirloom European Tapestries.