Rebecca at the Well

Art

-

Planting Fields

Name/Title

Rebecca at the Well

Entry/Object ID

1977.052.001

Description

Mid 17th Century Aubusson tapestry, the narrative possibly based on the Biblical story of "Rebecca at the Well". Portrays a young woman holding a jug of water, looking furtively over her shoulder, situated in a verdant landscape setting. The border surround of exceptionally fine and intricate design incorporates a putto at each lower corner, standing as caryatids, each balancing massive architechtural confections of campana vases surrmounted by grotesquely featured mythical animals with masonry arches. Topped by a carved stone brazier, with four carved putto heads as a support surround topped by a pair of Ibis, back to back. The top corners each have a pair of embracing putti that form a corner spandrel. The lower border contains spread-wing eagles and foliate vines.

Artwork Details

Medium

Textile: Wool, Dye, Lining, Textile, Wool, Silk

Collection

Benjamin Vander Poel

Acquisition

Accession

1977.052.001

Source or Donor

Vander Poel, Mr. Benjamin F.

Acquisition Method

Gift

Made/Created

Place

Location

Aubusson, France

Notes

Date: Mid 17th Century-Eighteenth Century

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Tapestry

Nomenclature Class

Art

Nomenclature Category

Category 08: Communication Objects

Other Names and Numbers

Other Numbers

Number Type

Other Number

Other Number

1977.015.005

Number Type

Old Number

Other Number

1979.19.1

Dimensions

Height

122 in

Width

56 in

Location

Location

Room

Dining Room

Building

Coe Hall

Category

Permanent

Date

August 16, 2023

Inventory

Inventory Project

INV2024.1

Inventoried By

Amanda Massimillio

Inventoried Date

Jun 26, 2024

Condition

Overall Condition

Good

Notes

Some damage and fading.

Maintenance

Maintenance History

Date

Oct 9, 2007

Notes

Corners have sachets of napthalene mothballs, which should be removed by loosening lining threads. In 1980, Joyce Zucker of Peebles Island Conservation Resource Center (NYSBHS) states, "The hanging tapestry requires cleaning and backing. The method for hanging now being used is inadequate, a Textile Conservator should be consulted. In 1982, Gilligan observes "Puckering" in the piece.

Valuations

Valuation Type

Appraisal

Estimator

Joanna Badami

Date

Apr 13, 2004

Notes

Min. Value: 35000

Valuation Type

Insurance

Value

$35,000.00

Notes

Insurance Co.: Hagedorn Insurance Company Insurance Co. Rep.: Stacie Washington

Provenance

Notes

Collected By: Benjamin F. Vander Poel Benjamin F. Vander Poel Planting Fields Foundation

General Notes

Note

Notes: Depicts the story of Rebecca at the well comes from the Book of Genesis. The aged Abraham, wanting a wife for his son Isaac, sent his servant Eliezer to his homeland of Mesopotamia to find a suitable woman. Tired after his long journey, Eliezer stopped at a well and prayed for guidance. When Rebecca offered water to Eliezer and his camels, the old steward recognized her as the appointed bride and presented her with the betrothal jewels offered by the kneeling servant.

Created By

admin@catalogit.app

Create Date

October 9, 2007

Updated By

Emily Leger

Update Date

June 25, 2025