Belgian Air force flies in tapestries for restoration

A C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft of the Belgian Air Force yesterday ferried to Brussels airport two of a set of priceless 18th century Flemish tapestries from St John's Co-Cathedral. Their final destination is the De Wit Laboratories in Mehelen, a world-renowned restoration centre of tapestries.

The two tapestries, The Triumph of the Catholic Church and the portrait of Grand Master Perellos, form part of a ten-year joint project between St John's Co-Cathedral Foundation and the Belgian Government. All 29 tapestries, a donation of Grand Master Perellos on the occasion of his election in 1697, will be restored over a ten-year period.

The tapestries were woven at the Flemish atelier of Judecos de Vos, famous as the court weaver for King Louis XIV. They were made between 1697 and 1700 and arrived in Malta in 1701 after a six-month voyage.

The tapestries were designed specifically to cover the nave of St John's, the Order's Conventual church. The 14 large tapestries depict scenes from the life of Christ and allegories portraying the principal and fundamental divine truths of the Catholic faith.

Another 14 panels represent the Virgin Mary, Christ the Savior and the Apostles. A tapestry portraying the donor, Grand Master Ramon Perellos y Rocaful, designed by Mattia Preti, completes the impressive collection.

The elaborate restoration process will involve the removal of dust particles and cleaning, consolidation of lost parts, filling in of missing parts and stitching of open seams.

The project is expected to cost Lm300,000.