Large hand stitch petit point tapestry of "The Last Supper"
My father Embric Melbraaten hand stitched a petit point tapestry of "The Last Supper". It was finished in 1984. He toured with it that year, and had offers to sell it. But he just couldn't part with it. My father passed away in 2007. We put in storage in 2008. We were asked to display it again just recently for Trinity Lutheran Church's 75th anniversary, so we took it out of storage. It does nobody any service being put back in storage again. It needs to be appreciated for what it is, and the family has agreed to sell it. The outside frame is 4 1/2 feet by 7 feet. There are 1,280,996 stitches, and the time devoted to the creation of the tapestry is 14,000 hours. I have all the designs and extra thread, and purple matting cloth. My dad was a carpenter early in his career and he build the frame, and display stands. My dad was also a mathematical genius and this is all designed with that in mind. I have more extreme documentation on this. This is just an introductory sample of what this is. My dad documented everything!
4 1/2 feet by 7 feet (or precise 53 1/2 inches by 85 1/2 inches) (aka golden rectangle)
Inherited
Yes
Hi Suzanne,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
This is one of those items that's challenging to appraise for a number of reasons, not least because this is a unique item, has few parallels to antique tapestries and it's hard if not impossible to qualify and quantify not only the work and soul your father put into this but also what it's meant to him, your family, and the community that has enjoyed it.
"Last Supper" tapestries are modeled after Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting of Christ’s final meal with His disciples. Created during the Renaissance, these tapestries were often commissioned by royalty or religious institutions. They not only replicate the composition of the original painting but also add texture and detail, enhancing the visual impact. Unlike the fresco, tapestries are portable, offering patrons flexibility in showcasing their devotion. Over centuries, many Last Supper tapestries have been preserved in museums and churches, becoming treasured symbols of art and faith.
Other - older - Last Supper tapestries of comparable size that have sold at auction recently bring very little money, including this example that sold for just $450 in 2021: (https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/117321879_large-and-impressive-embroidered-19th-c sold).
In 2022, a smaller version brought $700 (https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/french-aubusson-tapestry-of-the-last-supper-compr-30930-c-20f47e1bdc?objectID=170239829&algIndex=archive_prod&queryID=c1017aec4a24ab6fbb926cd716a05552)
As an example of what an old tapestry might be worth I found a very early (Medieval) example that realized $16,000 in 2014 (https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/antique-continental-woven-tapestry-panel-depictin-6093-c-4243fda472?objectID=95405028&algIndex=archive_prod&queryID=c1ede40bddd35844e5ee7793b45fcecf).
If I read between the lines of your description, I'm sure your family is hoping to sell this for five- or even six-figures. Knowing the current auction market as I do, this will be a difficult task for a number of reasons, not least of which is finding the right audience for it. The number of people who want a 7-foot-long religious modern tapestry is going to be comparatively small. A museum specializing in religious art and artifacts might be interested but most of those that don't have lots of money for acquisitions, typically trying to buy things as inexpensively as possible. The Vatican collection might be interested in acquiring this in a private sale and Mearto may be able to help with exploring that option. As far as a fair-market price, most auction houses would not be willing to auction this with an estimate higher of $3,000-5,000.
Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:
"Last Supper"
Embric Melbraaten after Leonardo da Vinci, 1983-84
petit point , matted and framed in a giltwood frame
53 1/2 inches by 85 1/2 inches
CONDITION: This tapestry appears to be in very good original condition.
PROVENANCE: Family of the maker
$3,000-5,000*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.
Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia
Hi Suzanne,
Another option would be to donate this and get a tax-deductible write-off. We can convert this fair-market appraisal into a higher-valued insurance appraisal for those purposes, just let us know if you'd like us to explore that option.
Delia