TAPESTRY AT RENISHAW HALL. i^ 



figures occupied in admiring the treasures from distant lands — 

 gems, pearls, coral, tortoiseshell, brightly coloured parrots, tropical 

 shells, and richly chased vessels of gold — profusely displayed 

 before them. The scene is laid amongst pastures and foun- 

 tains, and in the background is a palace by the sea, with 

 distant views of a town and mountains beyond. 



The two remaining sheets are suspended in the Ball Room ; 

 one measures 15 ft. 6 ins. by 10 ft. 10 ins., and the other 

 15 ft. 10^ ins. by 10 ft. 11 ins. 



4. The hanging near the door is a graceful and beautiful 

 composition, which may be intended to represent " The Conquest 

 of Earth " and its fruits, or possibly the arrival of the Queen 

 of Sheba on her visit to King Solomon. In the centre a female 

 figure crowned with flowers dismounts from a kneeling camel. 

 With her left hand she swings a smoking censer, whilst in her 

 right a wreath of flowers is supported upon the camel's haunch. 

 Before her are vases of admirably rendered flowers, with melons, 

 pomegranates, and other fruits scattered upon the ground. 

 Behind the camel is seen a female figure seated upon a couch, 

 overshadowed by stately trees. On the right, a prince (perhaps 

 intended for King Solomon) approaches the principal figure with 

 extended sceptre. He is followed by three sceptred princes, who 

 are descending a flight of steps, protected by an awning from 

 the door of a palace beyond. On the left of the design, a lady, 

 followed by a trainbearer, approaches and points to two crowned 

 turbans, lying upon a table, covered with a crimson cloth. In 

 the background, a palace surmounted by a dome is visible 

 between the trees on the right, while fountains, obelisks, and a 

 picturesque cliff overhanging a town occupy the centre and 

 left of the design. 



5. The fifth and last of this series is the least intelligible. 

 It seems wholly given to waters and fountains, and may perhaps 

 represent " The Conquest of Water." In the centre is a princess 

 seated, adorned with a feathery crown, and resting her right 

 hand upon a sceptre. An attendant behind her, wearing a 

 similar head-dress, holds out a sheU into the jet of water which 



