Sophie Coryndon

Harvest Moon, a large carved wallhanging, draws inspiration from the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries in the collection of the Musee de Cluny. Created in the 15th century, the tapestries known as millefleurs (meaning a thousand flowers) were woven in many different workshops in Northern France and Flanders. They often included small animals and birds among the flowers. Coryndon’s magnificent work is adorned with hand-tooled flowers and insects that are cast and gilded before being arranged on a rich brown wood panel, giving the illusion of a floating orb. The individually crafted flowers, leaves and insects are sculpted to mimic the goldwork embroidery commonly found in church vestments, military costume and wall hangings. The harvest moon, the full moon occurring at the start of fall or the autumnal equinox, is brought to life in the golds and tawny brown of the work.