A pair of metamorphosis mythological needlework panels, French circa 1750 and later

both worked in polychrome wool and silk, in gros-point and petit-point, depicting groupings of figures in landscape setting with distant buildings, trees, exotic flowering plants and various birds, animals and one panel with a large butterfly. It is possible that both panels form part of the same narrative subject of `Story of Io', showing Io having been transformed into a heifer for disguise by Jupiter, father of Mercury, and guarded by the giant Argus, and a second panel showing the subsequent episode with `Mercury and Argus', showing Mercury in the cloud, and later playing the pipe and lulling to sleep the giant Argus before killing him; possibly `IO' embroidered in dark thread into the ground, and near the so name heifer; each applied with an associated outer narrow border worked in gros-point with a scrolling foliate trail and stylised flowers, on a cream ground; each panel mounted within a later glazed, gilded walnut frame (Qty 2)

Good overall condition. Good strong colours. Frames modern. For further information on this Lot, please contact the English Furniture Department on 00 44 (0) 207 293-5470.
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