Millefleur (thousand flower) tapestry

When this tapestry was woven around 500 years ago, many Europeans believed that unicorns were real animals. In the Late Middle Ages (around 1300–1500), artists depicted unicorns as pure white horse-like creatures with a long, twisted horn. Unicorns were said to be graceful and elusive, and their magical horns were thought to have healing powers.

Millefleur (thousand flower) tapestry showing a unicorn
About 1500
Loaned by Victoria and Albert Museum