Moses saved from the waters - Aubusson tapestry, Felletin manufactory, 17th century

Inspired by a cartoon by Simon Vouet, circa 1630

Aubusson tapestry"Moses saved from the waters"
Felletin Manufactory, 17th Century

Moses Saved from the Waters – A Scene from the Old Testament

A superb antique Aubusson tapestry, crafted in the 17th century by the Felletin manufactory, depicting an iconic episode from the Old Testament: the rescue of Moses from the waters by the daughter of Pharaoh.

This scene is drawn from the Book of Exodus. According to the biblical account, when Pharaoh ordered the killing of all newborn Hebrew boys, Moses’s mother placed him in a wicker basket and set it adrift on the Nile. He was discovered by the daughter of Pharaoh—who was bathing with her attendants—and was subsequently saved and raised at the Egyptian royal court. This foundational episode foreshadows the extraordinary destiny of Moses, the future liberator of the Hebrew people.

The composition centers on the discovery of the child amidst a lush landscape. In the middle, several richly attired women surround the infant Moses, while to the right, a handmaiden leans toward the basket resting at the water’s edge. The abundant vegetation, towering trees with dense foliage, and a palette of deep blues, greens, and ochres create a natural setting imbued with a poetic quality. This tapestry is inspired by a cartoon by Simon Vouet—a major 17th-century painter—whose compositions were created for King Louis XIII, notably as part of the decorative scheme for the Louvre Palace around 1630.

It features a striking border adorned with foliage, flowers, and scrolling plant motifs, rendered in a delicate palette of blue, beige, and pink.

Woven in wool and silk, this tapestry exemplifies the craftsmanship of the workshops in the Aubusson and Felletin region, as well as the 17th-century (the *Grand Siècle*) penchant for grand historical and biblical compositions.

Dimensions: Height 220 cm × Width 270 cm

A piece with a commanding decorative and historical presence, notable for the richness of its composition, the depth of its blue tones, and the refinement of its botanical ornamentation.