Royal Elephant – With Border

On display in the Louvre, “Royal elephant” is believed to have been designed by Charles-Jean Salloundrouze de la Mornaix somewhere between 1840 and 1843. The tapestry was first shown in France at the Industrial Products exposition in 1844. The tapestry shows a regal elephant belonging to the royal family of India. The royal livery is prominent on the elephant’s back. Oriental style tapestries in this vein were very popular from the 17th century through the 19th century in Europe. The populace couldn’t seem to get enough of the style, which originated from the travels of the Jesuits. Their trips to the middle and Far East created a fervor for all things Oriental, including tapestries such as “Royal elephant”. This tapestry has a tunnel for easy hanging and is lined on the back.