Unicorn tapestries |
The unicorn has been in our history for over 2500 years, since the time of the ancient Babylonians. Since the medieval period, unicorn tapestries and unicorn tapestry art has appeared in various guises. Could the enigmatic unicorn or a similar beast have actually existed? A Greek physician Ctesias, whilst under the service of the King of Persia documented in 398 BC a strange creature he encountered who’s dust from its single pointed horn would protect against deadly poison. Then Genghis Khan, on the verge of conquering India in 1224 on the final battle hill, saw a single creature he recognised as the Ch'i lin, the name of the unicorn in Chinese. He felt such fear that he ordered a retreat, eluding China of her victory. And in the famous city of Alexandria, a text called the “Physiologus” which contains descriptions of all creatures that have existed in creation, describe the unicorn as a beast that could not be captured by force, but only by a virgin fondling the unicorn to entice him to sleep. Unicorns have been captured in art through history, including the “Lady and the unicorn” tapestries" and the “Hunt of the unicorn tapestries" from the 15th century. Our unicorn tapestries have been carefully selected, and each represent an important aspect of the legend of the unicorn. |
