1960s Mary Dambiermont “Wading Bird” Wool Tapestry.

Inspired by the Heron

The Mary Dambiermont “Wading Bird” Tapestry brings a calm, natural feel into your home. It draws inspiration from the heron, a bird often seen near rivers and coastlines. Because of this, the design feels peaceful and easy to connect with.

If you live near water, you may recognise this moment. The heron stands still and watches quietly. This tapestry captures that feeling in a simple way.

A Personal Connection to Nature

Many people see herons as part of daily life. Therefore, this piece can feel familiar and comforting. It reflects real moments you may already enjoy outdoors.

At the same time, it lets you bring that feeling inside. You can enjoy it every day, no matter the season.

Soft Colour That Works Anywhere

The Mary Dambiermont “Wading Bird” Tapestry uses soft blues and greys. In addition, warm orange tones add contrast. These colours create a balanced and relaxed look.

As a result, the tapestry suits many interiors. It works well with wood furniture and neutral spaces. You can place it in a living room, bedroom, or hallway.

Easy to Live With

You do not need any art knowledge to enjoy this piece. Instead, you can focus on how it makes your space feel. It adds warmth without feeling heavy.

It also catches the eye in a quiet way. From a distance, the design still stands out.

Dimensions: 

169 cm long x 68 cm wide

Condition 

The Mary Dambiermont “Wading Bird” Tapestry remains in very good vintage condition.

Details

• Artist: Mary Dambiermont
• Title: “Wading Bird”
• Material: Wool
• Date: 1960s

Bring Nature Indoors

The Mary Dambiermont “Wading Bird” Tapestry offers more than decoration. It brings a daily reminder of nature into your home. If you enjoy seeing herons in real life, this piece will keep that feeling close.

About the artist:

Mary Dambiermont was a Belgian artist born in 1932 in Liège and active during the mid-20th century. She trained at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels and began working in tapestry in the mid-1950s, quickly becoming part of the post-war revival of modern textile art. Dambiermont is best known for her role in the “New Tapestry” movement, where artists moved away from traditional designs and created more expressive, modern compositions inspired by nature and everyday life. She exhibited internationally, including representing Belgium at the prestigious Lausanne Tapestry Biennials in 1962 and 1965, and showed work at the 1958 Brussels World Expo. Her tapestries were produced with leading workshops such as Braquenié and are held in important public collections, including the Belgian Senate, the Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts in Brussels, and other national and municipal collections. Today, she is recognised as an important figure in 20th-century Belgian textile art.

About the Weavers:

Braquenié & Cie was a highly respected Franco-Belgian tapestry and textile manufacturer founded in the mid-19th century by brothers Alexandre and Charles-Henri Braquenié. Originally based in Paris, the company expanded into Belgium and established a major weaving workshop in Mechelen around 1868, a city already known for its long tradition of textile and furniture production. The Mechelen atelier became one of the leading centers for high-quality tapestry weaving in Belgium, working with prominent artists and designers to produce both historic-style and modern works. Braquenié was known for supplying luxury textiles to elite clients, including commissions linked to Napoleon III and European royal households, and later produced large decorative cycles for prestigious interiors such as the Winter Palace in Russia. In the 20th century, the Mechelen workshop played an important role in producing modernist tapestries, collaborating with artists like Mary Dambiermont as part of the revival of contemporary textile art. The company remained active into the late 20th century before closing its Mechelen operations in 1987, with its archives now preserved in institutions such as the tapestry museum in Aubusson.