The Memorable Judgement of Sancho Panza' (Le Jugement des deux vieillards par Sancho) A Fine Louis XV Aubusson Tapestry from The Story of Don Quichotte circa 1750, after Charles Coypel, probably from workshop of the marchand-fabricant Pierre Mage

woven depicting the Judgement of Sancho Panza (also known as Le Jugement de la Canne), with Sancho Panza received as Governor of the Isle of Barataria, and enthroned centrally on the judgement seat, placed between two supporting columns with draped red material canopy above, his feet resting upon a tasselled cushion, concentrating on the matter of the disputed repayment of the loan of ten crowns, between two old men, the lender and borrower, seen on respective sides of the tapestry with attendants, set upon a portico with houses and woodland beyond the surrounding wall, within a four-sided red and gold border with opposing running bands of `c'-scrolls enclosing a stylised floral motif, interspersed with a small stylised flower and sprig, the top and bottom left corners with scallop-shell and acanthus surrounded floral motif, (Cervantes, Don Quixote, Part II, Chapter 45)



 

Fenaille, Etat general des tapisseries de la manufacture des Gobelins, Paris, 1902, Vo1.3., Chapter IX, 'Histoire de Don Quichotte d'apres Charles Coypel.' The original painting by Coypel 'un grand tableau representant Le Jugement' was completed .1728

See Edith A. Standen, European Post-Medieval Tapestries in the Metropolitan Museum, Vol.I, no.53, pp.369-375, 'The Memorable Judgment of Sancho Panza' for the Gobelins tapestry of this subject in the Metropolitan Museum, New York, no.24 in the series of twenty- eight tapestries with scenes from Don Quixote after Charles Coypel, in addition see fig.36 for a drawing of it by Coypel in the National Museum, Stockholm. There are eight recorded Gobelins weavings of The Memorable Judgement. Standen, op.cit. also notes two related tapestries: first, a rectangular version without alentour or border (270 x 310) in the Louis Touzain sale, Hotel Drouot, Paris, 23rd October 1935, lot 142, as Aubusson, later illustrated in colour in Dario Boccara, Les Belles Heures de la Tapisserie, 1971, pp.95, there called Gobelins, circa 1780, and finally in Chevalier (see under), pg.127, as Aubusson;
secondly, a similar but wider piece (270 x 460), with a narrow floral border, sold at Lempertz in 1964, Cologne, 16th November 1937, lot 313; and again at Lempertz, 15th April 1964, no.442., then called Beauvais, and then at Sotheby's, London, 14^th June 1991, lot 13, Provenance Frau Karl Lebracht von Koeller (Wiesbaden), as Aubusson.

Dominique Chevalier, `Les Tapisseries d'Aubusson et de Felletin', pg.193 notes in the 1760 inventory after the death of Pierre Mage, 'fabricant a Aubusson, et marchand a Paris', a number of important tapestries including 'des tapisseries fines representant I' Histoire de Don Quichotte'.

This tapestry is in good overall condition. It is a striking subject matter, of well balanced composition and colour, with a decorative border. Charming attention to detail overall. It is lined with old linen and attached with old hoops. Some stitching from lining visible at front of tapestry (on close inspection). It is recommended that the tapestry be relined, with Velcro attached across the top for future hanging purposes. Some small black stains and tiny holes, old damage. Repairs in areas of red hanging swag and stonework. Some repairs to silks and light highlights, commensurate with age. Repair to dark beard and hair of man in blue cloak to right. Some small splits, commensurate with the fine weave and colour changes.
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