tapestry, antependium, altar frontal

Saint Pancras and Saint Gotthard

1460-1470

wool, linen, weaving

Germany, South Germany, Nuremberg (place of manufacture)

European

Saint Pancras and Saint Gotthard stand facing each other against a red and white pomegranate-patterned background on this antependium (altar frontal). St Pancras is dressed as a knight in armour and holds a dagger, symbol of his martyrdom, and a lance with pennant. St Gotthard, Bishop of Hildesheim, is clothed in episcopal garments and holds the model of a church, probably the one at Hildesheim. The shields placed beside the pedestal are those of two noble Nuremberg families, Haller and Prunsterin. This was probably woven for Martin Haller, who married Barbara Prunsterin in 1425. Part of a small group of South German tapestries, probably made in a convent at Nuremberg, showing one or more saints in an ornamental surround. Part of the Burrell Collection.

TEXTILES

overall: 813 mm x 1524 mm