Alan Taghdisi to Display Latest Antique Acquisition at Neiman Marcus. Partial Proceeds from Sale of Rare Tapestry to Benefit Texas Children’s Hospital

Alan Taghdisi to Display Latest Antique Acquisition at Neiman Marcus. Partial Proceeds from Sale of Rare Tapestry to Benefit Texas Children’s Hospital.

Houston TX (PRWEB) March 16, 2006 -- Houston’s premiere antique rug dealer, Alan Taghdisi of Oriental Rug Bazaar, has recently acquired a rare European tapestry believed to date back to circa 1700 and will retail for $300,000.00. The nearly flawless museum quality piece will be on public display at Neiman Marcus Houston Galleria Thursday May 4th – Thursday May 18th. Partial proceeds from the sale will benefit Texas Children’s Hospital.

This tapestry is a pastiche of mythological elements; in the foreground is Odysseus (Ulysses) shooting an arrow through a ring target that is taken from the Odyssey where the suitors of Penelope try to bend his bow (only Odysseus can do it.)

Penelope, depicted at the right, is shown weaving a tapestry. She promises to select a suitor when the tapestry is finished, but unravels it every night biding time until Odysseus can return.

The dog in the foreground is the well known symbol of fidelity; in this piece it symbolizes Penelope’s fidelity for Odysseus.

All other characters are taken from mythological sources; Hera, the elaborately dressed woman to Penelope’s left. Her symbol the peacock appears in the foreground. At the table is Zeus (Jupiter) being served by Ganymede; Mars is depicted at far left and possibly Hermes (Mercury) is seated to the right of Jupiter with sword.

The tapestry is 10’6” x 15’5” and is believed to have been woven in 1655. Although the workshop is not identifiable, the somewhat schematic depiction of foliage implies a workshop outside of Brussels; most likely commissioned by a wealthy merchant, landowner or high ranking official in outlaying towns of Flanders.

This tapestry is only one of the highly sought after pieces in the Alan Taghdisi Antique Collection. It is widely believed by the leading auction houses and prominent antique collectors that the Alan Taghdisi Antique Collection is the finest and largest for a single collector in the world.

For more information on the Alan Taghdisi Antique Collection call 713 960 9070.

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