Set of seven devotional silkworks depicting views of the ancient Temple in Jerusalem
Franses were asked by the owner of a group of historical Italian textiles to carry out research and find a suitable institution to acquire them.
Research carried out by a private scholar showed that the textiles depicted views of the first and second temples in Jerusalem and were probably embroidered around 1700 to decorate a small prayer hall or synagogue. The embroideries, created with silk threads and gold and silver gilt threads, were to be sent to the US on exhibition but an export licence has been withheld on grounds of their national importance. The textiles are unique both in their depictions and condition.
