Tournai tapestry fragment
Origin: Flanders
Date: Sixteenth century
Material: Tapestry (coarse linen and wool)
Dimenssion: Height: 3500 mm, Width: 1700 mm
N.º Inventory: MM.05226
This object is a detail of the loading or unloading of a ship in the sixteenth century. It was probably made in the city of Tournai, Flanders, by the master tapestry-maker Poissonier Arnould, in the early 1520s. Tapestries of this kind are considered of high value, because of its size and the detail of the representations.
D. Manuel probably ordered several of these tapestries representing the epic milestones of the Portuguese Discoveries. There is documentation that indicates that several tapestries were made in the city of Tournai which became known as "à la maniére de Portugal e de Indie" – “in the manner of Portugal and India”.