Rare silk and gold embroidery of a lion-hunting scene inspired by Indo-Portuguese Colchas or Safavid carpets, Italy or Portugal (?), early 18th century. Height 71 - Width 152 cm Worn and missing threads, oxidation of metallic threads. Folded in the middle with a 2 cm central join. Marouflage on supporting canvas with consolidation patches and wooden frame. The scene unfolds over several registers of spear-armed horsemen, one dressed in oriental style with turban with gold aigrette and crescent on a mount marked with a monogram C.A.R (?) charging a lion. Musket-wielding picketers and soldiers are dressed in a leotard typical of fashion circa 1700, amid an Asian-style fauna of small animals, dog, hare, monkey, parrot, simurgh (?) and flora (oversized peaches). Rocailles in gold filé around the perimeter and gold plumetis on the field (oxides). The backing is a dark-blue indigo-dyed linen or cotton voile, past-embroidered with polychrome silks and metallic gold and copper-tone laughing threads. Linen or raw hemp lining.