Still life with a dog

While the still life is often associated with bowls of fruit or vases filled with flowers, they can also be fanciful. “Still life with a dog” is a fine example. Woven in St. Petersburg between 1733 and 1734 by the Manufacture des Gobelins, the original is exhibited in the Palace of Arms in Moscow. Set against the backdrop of an ornate fountain, a huge floral display features exotic flowers. In the front, a parrot perches on a luxurious urn while a spaniel playfully barks across from it. As a finishing touch, fresh fruits cascade in the foreground, including the pomegranate, the symbol of fertility. This tapestry is lined and has a tunnel for easy hanging.