Coat of arms of Francisco Valero y Losa, 18th-19th centuries

Important hanging with the coat of arms of Francisco Valero y Losa (1664-1720), archbishop of Toledo, embroidered on silk strips.

The hanging features the coat of arms of Francisco Valero y Losa, archbishop of Toledo from 1715 to 1720; the archbishop's coat of arms (wide-brimmed priest's hat adorned with wings and fitted with azure-blue cords with twelve tassels, the double-crossed cross, numerous acanthus scrolls surrounding the ball), the shield representing his family coat of arms (tripartite with a tree to which two canines are attached in a confronted position, a castle with a single turret on fire from which emerges a hand holding a bunch of three keys, two dead men with their throats slit). The border of this shield is composed of eight keys, which seem to refer to his motto "Aunque más tormentos me deis las llaves no os llevareis".
Below, a text in memory of the archbishop*. The azure blue and white scroll motifs are repeated in the border. The latter is enclosed in silver and gold braids with geometric motifs.

This remarkable embroidery combines silk and silver thread. The embroidery stitches used are varied, demonstrating a certain technical skill and a skilful search for material effects.
The coat-of-arms is embroidered with polychrome silks with an impenetrable past, silver throw stitches (for the background), knots (for the canid coat) and silver thread (for the turret).
The acanthus leaves and surrounding archbishop's coat of arms are surrounded by vermiculated motifs of silver filé.

- The richness of this work lies in its multiple techniques: silk velvet for the background, combined with silk and silver embroidery. Its large size, black background and central coat-of-arms give this decoration a certain monumentality. The colored motifs create pleasing contrasts against the plain black background, a velvet whose nuances vary with the slightest movement, while the embroidery elements punctuate the decor with silver highlights, creating a beautiful decorative effect.

The silk velvet background is composed of 5 strips (53.5 cm/sheet). Fully lined, ring fastening system.

-18th-19th century composite work. Good condition, with some wear and tear (see photos).

-Dimensions: Height: 410 cm Width: 270 cm



* the text on the cartel below the arms
"D.O.M I.D.D.
D. FRANCISCUS VALERO ET LOSA, CLARUS SAPIENTIA, BENIGNITIATE CLARIOR, HUMILITATE CLARISSIMUS, PURITATE, ANGELICUS, CAELO SERAPHICUS, PRAEDICATIONE APOSTOLICUS, E*PACENSI EPISCOPATU AD TOLETANAM SEDEM PROOMOTUS, BREVI *ANNORUM CIRCULO CURSUM FELICITER CONSUMMAVIT, REPOSITAM QUE SIBI CORONAM JUSTITIAE
PLACIDISSIMA MORTE, QUASIVIT, DIE XXIII. APRILIS ANNO MDCCXX. SUAE AETATIS "

Ref: F4ERQ3SPGZ