Unique Maltese masterpieces: the tapestry chamber
Discover the only complete and intact set of the famous 18th century French Gobelins tapestries in the world
Ambassador's RoomGrandmaster's Palace, Malta
Ever since the times of the Order of St John, the Palace was the seat of a collection of works of art and heritage items some of which still grace its walls.
Palace State Rooms Main Corridors Former Palace ArmouryGrandmaster's Palace, Malta
Some were purposely produced and form part of the historic fabric of the building.
Tap to explore
The Council Chamber, known as the Tapestry Chamber houses the only complete and intact set of the famous 18th century French Gobelins tapestries in the world.
Tapestries
Despite the many layers of official purpose, there remained one important constant, which in fact gave this room its particular name: The Tapestries.
Grand Masters PerellosGrandmaster's Palace, Malta
Every Grand Master, upon election, was obliged to bestow a gift, known as the gioia, to the Order.
Marbles Coat of ArmsGrandmaster's Palace, Malta
The superb 10-piece Tentures des Indes tapestry collection is one such gioia which was very generously donated by Grand Master Ramon Perellos y Roccaful (1697-1720) and completed between 1708 and 1710.
Indian on Horseback (1710) by Gobelins ManufactoryGrandmaster's Palace, Malta
Produced by the celebrated and prestigious Gobelins Royal Factory in Versailles (France), it represents idyllic scenes inspired by the then New World of the Americas
The Fishermen (1710) by Gobelins ManufactoryGrandmaster's Palace, Malta
and is replete with a visual encyclopaedia of exotic flora and fauna.
Tapestry Chamber Tapestry Chamber drawing (1781/1850) by Charles Frederick BrocktorffGrandmaster's Palace, Malta
One can only imagine with what breath-taking wonder, the 18th-century invitees to this Hall gawked at these priceless high-loom weaves.
The Two Bulls (1710) by Gobelins ManufactoryGrandmaster's Palace, Malta
When considering that this set of tapestry hangings in the said Hall is unique because it is the only collection known to have survived intact
Palace State Rooms Main CorridorsGrandmaster's Palace, Malta
This inevitably increases the wealth and international standing of the cultural heritage that characterises the Palace’s piano nobile.
The Striped Horse (1710) by Gobelins ManufactoryGrandmaster's Palace, Malta
The complete set was a highly desired replica of a similar series in Versailles Palace and represented scenes of South American flora and fauna entitled ‘La Tenture des Indes’ (meaning ‘The Indian Hangings’)
The Elephant (1710) by Gobelins ManufactoryGrandmaster's Palace, Malta
The designs for these tapestries were derived from sketches produced by the artists, Albert Van den Eckhout and Frans Post when they accompanied Prince Johan Mauritz of Nassau-Orange as Governor General of Dutch Brazil in 1636.
The collection of sketches was later presented in 1679 by the Prince to Louis XIV, a gift that led to their adaptation into compositions for tapestry.
Tapestry Chamber Grand Master Perellos emblem tapestryGrandmaster's Palace, Malta
Above each window panel, there are five small identical tapestries with the coat-of-arms of Grand Master Perellos y Roccafull, and one larger more ornate piece that formerly hung above the Grand Master’s seat.
Indian on Horseback (1710) by Gobelins ManufactoryGrandmaster's Palace, Malta
The exotic flora and fauna represented in the tapestry panels must have amazed the 18th-century viewer.
The Indian Hunter (1710) by Gobelins ManufactoryGrandmaster's Palace, Malta
The strange animals, the dense vegetation and the gentle natives were presented within an ordered composition that presented primitive nature in total harmony with mankind.
Each panel was a pictorial encyclopaedia of the strange new world that had captured the imagination of European explorers and settlers.
Other artistic merits
The Tapestries Chamber has an august almost hollowed appereance. The historic set of Gobelins tapestries are complemented with other artistic merits, making the site site one of the most majestic manifestations of Malta's cultural heritage
Tapestry Chamber CeilingGrandmaster's Palace, Malta
The chamber is adorned by a coffered and painted wooden ceiling with late 18th century chandeliers
Tapestry Chamber Capture of two Turkish galleysGrandmaster's Palace, Malta
The frieze of the chamber is decorated with 14 canvas paintings representing some of the Order’s victories at sea during the first half of the 17th century.
Tapestry Chamber Capture of Algerian vesselGrandmaster's Palace, Malta
The sequence of events of these friezes may be read from the scrolled cartouches at the bottom of each painting acting as an aid to each visual representation.
Tapestry Chamber Allegorical Figure - VirilityGrandmaster's Palace, Malta
Each painting is flanked by allegorical figures symbolizing ‘Charity’, ‘Virtue’, ‘Religion’, ‘Vocation’, ‘Manhood’, ‘Military Architecture’, ‘Naval Victory’, ‘Hope’ and ‘Justice’.
Tapestry Chamber Crucified ChristGrandmaster's Palace, Malta
The ‘Crucified Christ’ stands out above what once was the Grand Master’s seat. It was before this religious image that prayers prior to a Councillors’ sitting were said and oaths taken.
Text provided by Curator Bernardine Scicluna
Albert Ganado (ed.), The Palace of the Grand Masters in Valletta
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