Искусства и ремесла Средневековья

Tapestry

163

of the monastery of Saumш tells us an interesting inci­ dent in connection with the works there. The Abbot of St. Fioгent had piaced а magnificent order for " cur­ tains, canopies, hangings, bench covers, and other orпaшents, . . . and hc caused to Ье шаdе two pieces of tapestry of Iarge size and admi1·aЫe quaiity, represent­ ing eiephants." While these were about to Ье com­ menced, the afoгesaid abbot was cailed away on а journey. Tl1e ecclesiastic ,vho reшained issued а command that the tapestгies should Ье made ,vith а woof different fгom that ,vhicl1 they haЬitually used. " vVell," said tl1ey, " in the absence of the good abbot ,Уе vvill not discontinue our employment; but as you thwart нs, vve sЬall make чнitе а diffel'ent kind of fabric." So they deliberately set to ,vork to шаkе square carpets ,vith silve1· lions on а геd gгound, with а гсd and wllite bordeг of various animals ! Abbot ,vшiam was fortt1- nately pleased ,vith tl1e resнlt, and used Iions inter­ changeaЬly with elepЬaпts thereafter in his decoratioпs. At the ninth ceпtury tapcstry manufactory in Poi­ tiers, an amusing coпespondence took piace between the Couпt of Poitou апd an Italiaп Ьislюp, in 1025. Poitoн ,vas at that t.iшe noted for its fine breed of mules. The Italian hishop wгote to ask the count to send him one mule and one tapestl'y, - as he expressed it, " both equally marvellous." The count replied with spirit: " I canнot send уон what you ask, because for а шule to merit the epithet marvellous, he would l1ave to have horns, or three tails, or five legs, and this I should not