‘La Manta’ is based on a fresco from circa 1420 by Giacomo Jacquerio in the great hall at the Castello Della Manta (La Manta Castle) in Piedmont, Italy.

The figures are from the legend of the Middle Ages, the best-known character being Godfrey of Bouillon who led the first crusade (1096 – 1099). Above them, their heraldic shields are depicted carefully fastened to the trees with leather straps. The figures are depicted on a narrow strip of ground covered with flowers and luxuriant vegetation, evocative of the ‘mille-fleurs’ (thousand flowers) style of the middle ages.

This beautiful Jacquard tapestry is very finely woven, with subtle colours and fine detail.