This is an early sixteenth century tapestry, originally woven circa 1510, from the Loire Valley Workshops in France. It is one of a set of three tapestries known as the Noble Pastorale, which depict the rural labours of peasants such as fruit-picking and the activities associated with wool-working. In the Middle Ages, tapestries were almost exclusively commissioned by the nobility, yet they often featured scenes from everyday life. The scene is set against a mille-fleurs (thousand flowers) background which was very popular in the 15th Century and was possibly inspired by the custom of strewing cut flowers on the ground on fte days. It is thought that the coat of arms at the centre and top right corner of the tapestry are those of Thomas Bohier (d.1523), Chamberlain of the King of France, and his wife Catherine Briconet, the original tapestry possibly being commissioned on the occasion of their marriage. In a divided coat of arms such as this one, the arms of the husband are to the right and those of the brides father to the left. The original tapestry was acquired in 1950 by Le Louvre in Paris. This beautiful tapestry is Silkscreened (also known as serigraphed) onto an irregularly woven fabric made from wool, cotton or linen. Considerable labour is required with this process including hand-painting to finish the details. Silk screen tapestries appear antiqued and aged giving them the look and feel of tapestries that hang in museums today. 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: Silk Screened Finish on reverse: This tapestry is fully backed with luxury cotton lining incorporating a sleeve along the top for hanging purposes.