Originally woven in the Loire Valley in France, this early sixteenth century tapestry now hangs in the Cluny Museum in Paris. The scene is of three mounted noblemen who are leaving the castle in the distance for a falconing expedition. They are accompanied by an escort on foot, who carries his masters sword. The mounted noble in the centre has just flown one falcon and is slipping another from his gauntleted fist. The rider on the left is also holding a falcon. Strips of leather called jesses were tied to the legs of the falcons. These jesses were about six inches long and always worn by trained birds to enable the falconer to hold the birds on the fist. On the left in the background two peasants are out walking. This tapestry reflects a transitional period between the Mille-Fleurs tapestries of the fifteenth century and the hunting scenes of a later period. This beautiful tapestry is woven on a jacquard loom by skilled weavers, keeping alive the centuries old tradition of tapestry manufacturing from generation to generation. This tapestry is fully lined incorporating a sleeve along the top for hanging with a Hines hanging rod. Alternatively, this tapestry can be hung with a wooden batten which is a concealed method of hanging. Composition: Loom Woven Finish on reverse: This tapestry is fully backed with luxury cotton lining incorporating a sleeve along the top for hanging purposes.