A curling crescent of a black moon, with a watchful eye turned to the viewer, a pointy nose and a long ear, lolls in the left part of the Alexander Calder Moon and Star Tapestry, c. 1970 tapestry. Next to it, a seven-point red star spins, leaving trails of hot yellow and celestial blue.  According to J. Lipman (1980), "Calder's tapestries are closely related to his gouaches, but they are much larger and often more complex in design. As in all his work the compositions are deceptively casual and have the same playful element that enlivens even the most powerful of his abstractions. The tapestry medium - like lithography and large-scale sculpture - is an example of the successful collaboration with skilled craftsmen that has characterized Calder's later years. The weaver follows Calder's forms exactly but improvises to vary the weaves and textures in a free interpretation of the overall design. The tapestries are fresh works of art in their own right, blending the inventiveness of the artist with that of the weavers" (157).

Created circa 1970, this hand woven tapestry is signed 'Calder' with a woven signature in black with the monogram of the weaver Pinton Frères in the lower right. Woven numbering '2/6' in black on the reverse, this piece is virtually unique due to the very small edition size; also with a Pinton Frères label on the reverse.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
Alexander Calder Moon and Star Tapestry, c. 1970 is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany the final sale of the work).

1. Lipman, J. (1980). Calder's Universe. Wolfe, R. (Ed.). Harrison House: New York. A detailed chapter, "Tapestries and Rugs" mentions Calder's textiles and his technique on pgs. 157-169.
2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.