Medieval Mystique: The Lady and the Unicorn Tapestries

Of all medieval tapestry collections, perhaps none is more mysterious and thought-provoking than the Lady and the Unicorn series. Very little is known about the origins of the original tapestry set, which is currently on display at Cluny Museum in Paris, France. Throughout the ages, many different interpretations have been extracted from these complex tapestries. Yet no one can seem to agree on the precise breadth and depth of their meaning. Striking Medieval ArtEach one of these artistic wonders offers a striking portrayal of a unicorn interacting with a woman. In medieval times, a unicorn was often seen as a representation of Christ, with the horn being a symbol of the unity between Christ and God. In each of the six tapestries in the Lady and the Unicorn series, unicorns are used to aide in the representation of human senses. These are defined as sight, smell, touch, sound, taste and love. Unicorns have been a mysterious and fascinating force throughout history. While the actual existence of these creatures has never been conclusively proven in modern times, many people still believe in these mythical creatures. In fact, the faithful have looked to other mammals, such as the giraffe and the ostrich, as proof that unicorns could have existed at one point in time. In essence, true believers are not at all hesitant to embrace the unicorn as something of divine significance that existed at some point in time. Some even believe unicorns may still exist in remote regions of the world.The Myth of the UnicornThe unicorn was said to have possessed magical powers. The horn, in particular, was widely regarded in ancient cultures as having the ability to recognize and extinguish poisons. The horn was often depicted as a perfect spiral. If a piece of the horn was placed in poisoned water, the water would bubble up. And if bits of the horn were sprinkled on food that was believed to be poisoned, the horn would act as an antidote to the poison. The ancient Chinese believed that unicorns were a good omen that only made their presence known to humans in rare cases. It was thought that these appearances were a positive sign of the times, of good things to come. In medieval times, the unicorn became a symbol of Christianity. The popular belief was that a unicorn could never be lured or tamed, except by the scent of a pure virgin.The Lady: Putting the Pieces TogetherThe purity and spiritual invincibility of Christ meant that only the purity of a sweet virgin could attract a creature representing these attributes. The Lady and the Unicorn tapestries have frequently been interpreted as symbolic of a woman renouncing everything in the physical world (i.e. physical human senses) for the greater significance of the spiritual world. Some believe the tapestries allude to a woman’s seduction of the unicorn. Some even believe these tapestries depict the Virgin Mary with Christ.Perhaps this purity of spirit and the tranquility that the tapestries represent explains the widespread appeal of these classic art works. People have a strong desire to believe in that which is good and righteous in our world. We have a deep need to be reassured that there is a greater purpose to our existence: the notion that ultimately good and peace will prevail. When we embrace the visual aspects of these tapestries, perhaps we are embracing the symbolic concepts within each of our hearts. Where Did the Lady and the Unicorn Tapestries Come From?Symbolism aside, what also remains a bit of a mystery is exactly how these tapestries came into existence. What we do know is that the set was made for the family of Jean Le Viste, a wealthy aristocrat who was a member of the French nobility during the 15th century. The family’s coat of arms can be seen throughout the tapestry series, although it is unclear for which family member the tapestries were made. Based on the style of the clothing worn by the ladies in the tapestries and a number of other artistic indicators, many experts believe the tapestries were designed around the end of the 15th century. They may have possibly been designed for Jean Le Viste himself in recognition of his promotion to the French Court in 1489. However, we do not know specifically who designed the tapestries.The tapestries were likely passed on through the family after Jean Le Viste’s death, although their exact whereabouts were unknown for nearly 200 years. They reappeared in 1841 when they were discovered by a French government inspector of historical monuments. Noting the relatively poor condition of the tapestries at that time, the inspector recommended that the government purchase the works and attempt to restore them. Eventually, the French government purchased them in 1882 and donated them to the Cluny Museum. The Mystery Continues…Very few historical records exist that explain the origins of the Lady and the Unicorn tapestry series. At best, scholars have been only able to offer speculation based on the limited information and clues within the tapestries themselves. Perhaps it is this mystique that ultimately adds to the appeal of the pieces. Regardless, the original tapestries are open to viewings by the public in a specially-designed oval chamber within the Cluny Museum. They have undergone restorative processes several times since the 19th century and can now be seen as their original artists intended.Copyright © The Tapestry House, all rights reserved.This is Free-Reprint article from The Tapestry House. Our terms are: Please leave copyright statement intact Please publish author info including links Please do not use the article in unsolicited emails Please keep all links intact and “as is“ - no embedded keyword advertisingYou can contact us at articles@thetapestryhouse.com

Determining Coin Values

Factors that Influence the Value of Collectible Coins If you are interested in collecting coins, it’s important to be able to have a rough idea of how much coins are worth. Knowing how coin values are determined will enable you to find good deals, and ensure that you don’t get cheated into paying too much money for a coin with a low worth. Supply Influences Coin Values One major factor in determining coin values is the law of supply and demand. If there are many coins of a particular type available, that coin will not be worth much. On the other hand, if only a very few coins of that type are produced, the coin values will rise. This is why a completely normal-looking copper penny minted in 1943 is worth about $200,000, whereas a 2,000 year old Roman coin may be worth less than $100 – because thousands upon thousands of Roman coins were minted, but only 40 pennies produced during war-time 1943 were made out of copper. Demand’s Effect on Coin Values Even among coins with a similar number of copies in existence, some have a higher worth than others. This is because some coins are in higher demand, driving up the coin values. Coins may become popular because they are particularly lovely to look at, because they are part of a topical set that is often chosen by collectors, or because they have a certain historical significance. Precious Metals and Coin Values Some coins are made out of precious materials like gold bullion or platinum. These coin values are less volatile because the worth is guaranteed in part by the material. A gold bullion coin, for example, is usually worth more than its melted weight, but it is never going to be worth less. Coin Values are tempered by Grade or Classification The final major factor in determining coin values is the grade or classification of the coin. The more wear and tear that a coin has undergone, the less value it is going to have. This is why un-circulated coins are usually more valuable than coins that have been passed from hand to hand. Un-circulated coins have always been kept in the very best of conditions, making their value much higher. A coin in flawless condition may be worth hundreds of times more than a low-grade version of the exact same coin. Now that you understand the basic factors that influence coin values, you have a better grasp of which coins may have real value and which will be worthless. In order to get a ballpark estimate of the value of any coins you might have, you will first need to determine its grade or classification. You can do this by comparing your coin’s condition to a published list of guidelines. Then look up the value of a coin in that condition in a book such as “The Standard Catalog of World Coins,” which should be available in most public libraries. If you need to know the exact amount that your coin is worth, you should take it to a coin dealer and let him or her evaluate it for you.

Work The System: The Simple Mechanics Of Making More and Working Less

There’s one guy like this in every office.His desk is always clean, he can always find what he’s looking for, his computer desktop has folders for all of his files and he always knows what’s on his schedule. And, except for his boss, everyone else in the office would like to Fed Ex him to Siberia.In his book Work the System: The Simple Mechanics of Making More and Working Less, a May 2009 release from Greenleaf Book Group Press (www.workthesystem.com), author Sam Carpenter says the reason we all hate that guy is because we all secretly wish we could be him.“He drives us crazy, only because we don’t know how he does it,” Carpenter said. “The thing is, we can be like him – and reap the rewards of hyper-efficiency – by making a simple adjustment in our perception of how the world around us operates. If we can look at our business lives from this slightly different angle, it will not only get us organized, but enable us to get more done in less time.”Some of the assumptions Carpenter re-adjusts in his book include:• Stop “doing the work” – The reason a successful business owner or department manager can work a few hours a week, or take an extended vacation without stress, is because he or she has created systems, implemented written procedures, and has learned to delegate. Successful people don’t work harder; they work smarter, so focus on what needs to be done to make your business grow. Automate or delegate the ”work.”.• Use your “prime time” wisely – Understand this: “Biological prime time” is when your brainpower is at peak capacity. People function at maximum effectiveness only about six hours out of a twenty four-hour day. It is important to determine precisely when your personal prime time occurs, and then use that time period wisely. Six hours each day is not much, so, presuming you wish to reach your goals sooner rather than later, it is best you perform the tasks that contribute most to your success during your prime time hours, and that you protect those hours from interruption.• Create written documentation – More than 50 percent of small businesses fail in the first year, and 80 percent fail within the first 5 years, according to the U.S. Small Business Association. Boring but true, the single, major difference between a small, floundering company and a large, successful company is this: The large, successful business employs documentation. It’s a simple equation: Documented procedures equal freedom and profit. If you already own a small business, and you don’t have documentation, carve out time today, sit down, and develop a Strategic Objective for your business. It’s like a mission statement, but punchier and more specific. Next, move on to your General Operating Principles, a 2-4 page collection of “guidelines for decision-making.” Third, you need written Working Procedures – instructions describing how the individual processes of the company or the job are to operate. • Ruthlessly cut the fat – If you own a business, your mission is to work hard but not long, to reduce the workweek by 95 percent, and to make more money than you require. If you have a job, the goal is to quickly ascend the management ranks until you can call your own shots. But no matter what your situation, if you are going to work, then work! Turn the radio off, get your feet off the desk, stop the pointless babbling with a coworker, and put your head down. Get in, do the work, and get out! Suggest polite ways for keeping a conversation moving along, especially if a long-winded coworker comes into your office for a “quick question,” then starts recapping last night’s episode of American Idol from start to finish. And, what about staff meetings? Are they a waste of time? Yes, if there is no agenda.“Focus and concentration are enhanced, work gets done faster and productivity soars when we can adjust what we do and how we do it to a new perspective that focuses on what is important and while cutting the waste,” Carpenter added.