White fabric with blue stripes and blue-and-white patterns of unicorns facing each other. Front view.

"Perugia" tablecloth fragment, Cl. 23888 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

White fabric with blue stripes and blue patterns of unicorns facing each other. Front view.

"Perugia" tablecloth fragment, Cl. 23888 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Detail of a fabric with white confronted unicorn patterns on a blue background. Front view.

"Perugia" tablecloth fragment, Cl. 23888 (detail) © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Detail of a fabric with blue confronted unicorn patterns on a white background. Front view.

"Perugia" tablecloth fragment, Cl. 23888 (detail) © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Detail of a fabric featuring white confronted unicorns on a blue background. Front view.

"Perugia" tablecloth fragment, Cl. 23888 (detail) © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Detail of a fabric featuring blue confronted unicorns on a white background. Front view.

"Perugia" tablecloth fragment, Cl. 23888 (detail) © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

"Perugia" tablecloth fragment

Description

On display - room 19c

15th century

Late Middle Ages

This tablecloth fragment is representative of textile production that originated in central Italy in the 13th century, possibly in Perugia. It is white linen with plain blue stripes or stylised motifs at the ends. Used in northern Italy and southern Germany for domestic or liturgical purposes, these "tablecloths" or napkins are often represented in Italian paintings of the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. The tablecloth fragment at the Musée de Cluny has the additional interest of presenting a rare pattern of unicorns facing each other, alternating with trees of life.

From one artwork to another

Lead object: boat with an inscription on the sail carrying a Virgin and Child. Front view.

Pilgrimage badge, Notre-Dame, Cl. 4697 © GrandPalaisRmn / Michel Urtado

Pilgrimage badges

13th century - 14th century - 15th century

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Polychrome wooden sculpture of a standing angel musician playing the lute. Front view on a neutral background.

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