Collections Online

Tapestry of 'Callisto's pregnancy revealed'. Woven at the Mortlake tapestry workshop, near London, in about 1680-1700. The tapestry was owned by the Windsor-Clive family, and was probably brought to St Fagans Castle by Robert Windsor-Clive in about 1850.

Very long tapestry, with narrow blue border mottled (?) rewoven section on right side. Mortlake mark of red cross on white shield in bottom right corner. Inner border of entwined ribbon and pole. Woven with 18 warp threads per inch, 50 wool weft threads per inch and 50-54 silk weft threads per inch. On right side is figure of Diana with her nymphs, one bathing, one holding a bow and a third holding two dogs on leads, with a very large tree against which is leaning a bow and quiver. There is a pool in the foreground. Diana is pointing towards a group of figures in the centre. The central group consists of four nymphs with Callisto, whose naked torso shows her pregnancy. There are two quivers and bows in the foreground with a pair of sandals. The figures are surrounded by a group of trees, with hills and a large patch of sky in the background, and the faint outline of (?) a settlement. On the left side are large leaved plants and flowers in the foreground, a large tree and temple ruins in the background. Greens and yellows are faded, but dark and mid blues are largely faded. There are some pinks and reds in garments and a quiver. There are some areas of reweaving, particularly in the shading on Diana's body, and some areas of damage, particularly along top edge. Relined with linen and velcro.