French Hand-Woven Tapestry of a Royal Wolf Hunt

18th century, the central figure of the grand louvetier (grand wolfcatcher) about to spear the cornered wolf, flanked by two huntsmen on horseback, all set within a lush and verdant park setting with a chateau in the background, an allover stylized floral vine border, backed with natural linen, now displayed on a rod with gilt-metal pinecone finials.
105" x 124"; display rod l. 136"

Provenance: Collection of Sue Trammell Whitfield, Houston, Texas.

Notes: The position of grand louvetier dates back to the reign of Charlemagne when the Emperor created a corps of elite huntsmen specifically tasked with the eradication of the wolf population. As described in Section 69 of the Capitulare de villis, the guide to the governance and management of the numerous royal estates, methodical records were to be kept of the number of wolves killed, pelts of said wolves were to be sent to court, and aggressive hunts were to be undertaken each May to rout out and kill as many wolf cubs as possible. The position was briefly suspended in the 18th century, but re-formed several years later; it exists to this day as an administrative position that oversees the maintenance of wildlife and the control of pests and vermin.

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