Tapestry Wall Hangings › Story of Abraham Series

Story of Abraham Series

The Abraham tapestries in Zardi & Zardi’s portfolio come from the series of the Abraham Series at Blickling Hall were acquired by Sir Henry Hobart in 1624 at a time when Mortlake tapestries were at the height of fame. Based on the earlier set commissioned by King Henry VIII that hang in the Great Hall at Hampton Court Palace. The tapestries portray scenes from the Old Testament, with intricate borders designed by Francis Cleyn.

The Return of Sarah by the Egyptians depicts Abraham and his wife Sarah leaving Egypt. Famine struck Canaan so they travelled to Egypt. Abraham told Sarah to pretend she was his sister, fearing the Egyptians would kill him to take his beautiful wife. When the Pharaoh heard of Sarah’s beauty she was taken to his palace. However, when God afflicted the Pharaoh’s household with a plague, he realised that Sarah was Abraham’s wife and asked that both Abraham and Sarah should be removed from Egypt.

The Parting of Abraham and Lot shows the moment that the two men chose separate areas for their herds. Abraham and his nephew, Lot, had shared pastures for their sheep. This created difficulties for their herdsmen and the conflicts between the herdsmen became troublesome. Abraham suggested Lot choose a separate area; “if you take the left, I will go right; if you take the right, I will go left.”

Abraham and Melchisedek illustrates the moment Abraham was received by Melchisedek. After Abraham and Lot parted Lot was abducted and his possessions stolen. Abraham triumphantly rescued Lot and the stolen goods from raiders and was subsequently received by Melchisedek. Melchisedek was king and High Priest, depicted in this tapestry in his priestly robes and crown, with the Eucharistic chalice and bread in a basket.

The Expulsion of Hagar and Ishmael follows the dismissal of Hagar and Ishmael by Sarah. Abraham had had a child, Ishamel, with Sarah’s handmaid Hagar. However, when Sarah gave birth to her own son, Isaac. At a banquet given to mark Isaac’s weaning, Sarah saw Ishmael playing with her son and asked that Hagar and Ishmael should be dismissed.

Sarah was the beautiful wife of Abraham who thought she was unable to bear him a child. At the age of one hundred God approached Abraham and told him that he would bless Abraham’s wife, Sarah and would give Abraham a son by her. Sarah was ninety when she gave birth to Isaac.

King Abimelech follows the arrival of Abraham and Sarah in Gerar. Abraham tells the King, Abimelech that Sarah is his sister. Abimelech takes Sarah as his wife but God intervenes before Abimelech touched Sarah.

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