A Flemish Mythological Hunting Tapestry, Mechelen 19th century

woven with Diana and her maidens about to set out for the chase, a sculptured urn beside them and a landscape background with a river and bridge, in a four-sided frame pattern border with floral medallions and spandrels; the lower left border with unidentified weaver's mark, PBF above a shield enclosing an eagle displayed



 

This tapestry is a good colour match with the image in the photograph. The tapestry is not lined. It is recommended that it is for future hanging, and Velcro attached across the top, to enable it to hang without folds. The tapestry is faded overall, which is clearly visible as the piece is not lined, and one can see the difference in colour. The appearance of this tapestry overall is balanced, in colour and composition. Some small splits in places, for example to the water area in the centre. There is a small dark spot shaped mark in the sky, top left, which is hardly noticeable and does not detract from the unified overall appearance. Charming subject matter and versatile size.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The weaver's and factory mark on this tapestry has been noted on several comparable tapestries, often on reductions of earlier 16^th and 17^th century compositions, but are so far unidentified. Professor Delmarcel has previously noted that `the De Wit workshop in Mechelen, founded in 1889, copied some of the (museum) pieces signed P/BF and with an eagle, so it might be a Belgian mark from the 19^th century'. The same mark was seen on a coastal landscape tapestry with classical ruins and figures, sold Sotheby's, London, 3^rd March, lot 83. This tapestry had the same frame-pattern border as the present piece. For an identical border to that of the offered lot, see another 19^th century Flemish tapestry, sold Sotheby's, London, 26^th May 2000, lot 8, which is almost identical but smaller weaving of the same composition as the asaid coastal landscape tapestry, sold in 1967.