This 17th century tapestry will be restored to its full glory with thanks to the National Trust remedial conservation fund. This tapestry is part of a larger series, three of which are displayed at Lyme; together they tell the story of Prince Cadmus, the founder of the city of Thebes.
"Cadmus Sent in Search of Europa" is a 17th century tapestry which will be restored to its full glory with thanks to the National Trust remedial conservation fund. This tapestry is part of a larger series, three of which are displayed at Lyme; together they tell the story of Prince Cadmus, the founder of the city of Thebes. The works will take 3 years and 1500 hours to complete and cost around £150,000.
A tapestry in need of repair
This series of tapestries were produced by Michiel Wauters in Antwerp in the late 17th century. We don't know when they were acquired and brought to Lyme or by whom.
The main type of damage tapestries such as this suffer are from broken threads caused from contunual use, insect damage and damp. Gravity acts on the weakest parts of the structure, gradually causing decay over time.
Tapestries in the halls of manor houses were displays of wealth and provided insulation and decoration. Biblical and mythological stories were common themes. These tapestries tell the mythological story of Cadmus, the founder of the city of Thebes. This Greek myth was popularised by the Roman poet Ovid in "The Metamorphoses," a series of mythico-historical stories from the creation of the world to the deification of Julius Caesar.
Ovid's Metamorphoses tells the story of the abduction of the princess Europa by the god Jupiter (also known as Zeus in Greek mythology) who disguised himself as a white bull in order to Europa away from her companions and carry her across the sea to the island of Crete. Cadmus, the brother of Europa, who set upon a journey to find her by their father, King Agenor of Tyre.
The tapestry shows the king of the gods Jupiter (Zeus), as a bull charging in to the sea with Europa terrified and clinging on to his horns, with her red drapery fluttering in the wind. In the sky to the right are three cupids, one of whom has a ribbon that is tied around the neck of the bull. Europa's three companions stand on the shore distraught as they see her carried away.
After the abduction of Europa, King Agenor sends Cadmus in search of his sister on threat of exile if he cannot retrieve her. Cadmus can not find her so appeals to the god Apollo for a home, through Oracle of Delphi, a high priestess renoun for making prophecies about the future. The oracle tells him that when he sees a heifer (cow) unmarked by toil, he should follow it and found a city when the cow lays down.
The second tapestry shows King Agenor (left, in blue) instructing Cadmus (right, in red) surrounded by formal gardens. To the right is the palace of Tyre.
Cadmus finds a heifer unmarked by toil and follows her. To give thanks to the gods for his good fortune he searched for fresh water for a ritual. He found a spring which belonged to a dragon who refused Cadmus' request and a battle ensued however all of Cadmus' men were slain. Cadmus sactifices a cow to the goddess Minerva, goddess of wisdom, for aid. Minerva tells him to plant the teeth of the dragon. An army of fierce warriors sprang up from where the teeth were planted and fought amongst themselves until five were left. These men accompanied Cadmus to build a new home.
The third tapestry depicts the building of Thebes. Cadmus (in red) sits under a tree with his shield on the ground beside him. On his knee is an architectural plan which he is discussing with an attendant (in blue). On the right of the tapestry, five men measure blocks of stone in front of a palace being built.
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Conservation timeline
29 March 2023
Preparing for transport
The tapestry will be removed from the wall in the Stag parlour under supervision of the Textile Conservation team. It will be rolled and prepared for transport.
June 2023
Conservation begins at the National Trust Textile Conservation Studio
On the initial stages the National Trust Textile Conservation Studio will be documenting the condition, stripping the old lining and getting it ready for wet cleaning.
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