Wawel Arrases

In Polish literature, the term arras (from the town of Arras in Artois, France) refers to tapestries commissioned by King Sigismund Augustus of Poland for his residence at the Wawel Castle, as well as other tapestries of similar quality made in Flanders in the 15th–16th centuries. Arrases are closely woven, using wool, silk and large amounts of silver and golden thread, and are characterized by their elaborate and subtly executed design. (Holc, Jerzy (2012) "Wawel tapestry collection: an overview of past and present conservation practice in Krakow, Poland" in Tapestry Conservation: Principles and Practice, Routledge, pp. 171−172 )

Wawel arrases are part of the Wawel Royal Castle National Art Collection.

Biblical scenes

Story of the First Parents

Paradise Bliss
Adam Tilling the Ground
Abel's Offering
Cain Leading Abel to His Death
Cain Slaying Abel
Flight of Cain

Story of Noah

Wickedness of Man
(at the Royal Castle of Warsaw)
Noah Conversing with God
Construction of the Ark
Animals Entering the Ark
The Flood
Animals Leaving the Ark
Noah's Thanksgiving
Noah Blessed by God
Drunk Noah

Story of the Tower of Babel

Construction of the Tower of Babel
Wrath of God
Confusion of Tongues
Dispersion of Nations

Verdures

Dragon Fighting with a Panther
Two Panthers, a Pheasant and a Monkey
Otter with a Fish
Stork and Rabbits
Turkeys

Grotesques

Victory between the arms of Poland and Lithuania
Ceres between the arms of Poland and Lithuania
Royal monogram supported by laughing satyrs
Royal monogram with a globe
Royal monogram with nymphs and Native Americans
Royal monogram with musical satyrs

Small tapestries

Above-door tapestry with the arms of Poland flanked by a beaver and a porcupine
Above-door tapestry with the arms of Lithuania flanked by a hyena and a monkey
Above-window tapestry with the arms of Poland flanked by a dormouse and an unidentified canine
Above-window tapestry with the arms of Lithuania flanked by a dormouse and an unidentified canine
Above-window tapestry with two female figures holding horns of plenty (central portion missing)
Under-window tapestry with fruits and musicians
Under-window tapestry with fruits and conch blowers
Under-window tapestry with fruits and monkeys
Chair upholstery with the royal monogram
Chair upholstery with a vase of flowers