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Holy Grail Tapestry - Quest for the Holy Grail Tapestries - Panel 6 - The Attainment; The Vision of the Holy Grail to Sir Galahad, Sir Bors and Sir Percival

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© Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery

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Basic Information

Accession Number:1907M131
Collection:Applied Art - Textiles
Date:1895 - 1896

Maker Information

Designer:John Henry Dearle - View biography for John Henry Dearle
Designer:Sir Edward Burne-Jones - View biography for Sir Edward Burne-Jones
Designer:William Morris - View biography for William Morris
Manufacturer:Morris & Co - View history

Notes

This sequence of tapestries was originally designed for William Knox D'Arcy, for the dining room of his house, Stanmore Hall in Middlesex (see black and white image). Several further versions were woven later. Birmingham's 'The Attainment' is one of three tapestries commissioned in 1895 by the industrialist Laurence Hodson, for his house Compton Hall near Wolverhampton.

The subject matter is based on the 15th century text Le Morte D'Arthur (The Death of Arthur) by Sir Thomas Malory. It tells the story of the spiritual quest by the knights of King Arthur's round table for the Holy Grail, the cup from which Jesus and the disciples drank at the Last Supper.

The final scene shows the three successful knights. The relative purity of each knight's life is represented by their distance from the Holy Grail, which sits on the altar inside the chapel. Sir Galahad kneels in the doorway surrounded by white lilies, symbolising his purity. On the left are Sir Bors and Sir Perceval.

Three standing angels hold symbols of Christ's passion, including the bleeding lance of Longinus, the Roman soldier who pierced his side on the cross. Above the Holy Grail is a Pentecostal wind, symbolising the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Purchased and presented by subscribers, 1907.

Further Information

Production Period:19th century
School/Style:Arthurian
Medium:Wool, silk, mohair and camel hair weft on cotton warp.
Material(s):Cotton

Associated People

Associated Places

Dimensions

Height:6950 mm
Width:2440 mm