A Flemish Classical Mythological Tapestry, Brussels first half 16th century

woven within an elaborate four-sided border with exuberant fruit and foliage around central husk stem with scrolling vase motifs corners, on brown ground

Colours tonally fairly accurate match. Not as darek. It is lighter and crisper with more attractive appearance in reality. Good range of greens in reality. Subtle shades of peach, yellow and pink remain. Tapestry is lined. Two sleeves across the top for the wooden poles used previously to hang the panel. Recommend that Velcro should be attached across the top edge for hanging purposes in the future. Slight reduction in width and height, with replacement of the selvedge. Presently with a later blue selvedge. Some repairs in areas. For example outlining in dark brown to the inner edges of the vertical borders, and to the outline of the the figures and garments, and foreground horse, and specks of visible in the photograph. Dark brown areas with repairs, and evidence of some oxidisation and warp threads visible, for example right side of trunk of tree. Some repairs to ground of border, and some fading to flowers. Minor repairs to some of faces. Well balanced colour and composition. Very decorative tapestry with exuberant deep border. In good overall condition.
"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 style of this tapestry is evocative of a very distinct period in tapestry weaving and noted for vibrant and the characteristic border type, the figures being very detailed records of contemporary costume. The border type of this tapestry is unusual in incorporating particularly detailed scrolling corner motifs, and is of note for the male figure breaking the picture plane with his foot.

 

For stylistically comparable early 16^th century Classical Brussels tapestries, see A. Cavallo, Textiles - Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston, 1986, pp.48-55, for a group of five weavings from The Story of Cyrus, woven Brussels, circa 1535-1550, within this similar distinctive border and narrative figural composition. Two weavings from the series, depicting A Messenger from Harpagos bringing Cyrus a letter concealed in a Hare, and King Astyages Harpagos in Command of his Army, attributed to Jan der Moyen, and bearing the cypher, were sold at Sotheby's, London, 26^th May 1967, as lots 38 & 39.

For various series of this date and style, with comparable compositions all attributed to Brussels, see an allegorical series of The Triumph of Petrarch, Mythological tapestries from The Story of Hercules, and Biblical series from The Story of Moses, illustrated and discused in Catàlogo de Tapices delPatrimonio Nacional, Madrid, 1986, Vol. I, pp.273-278, pp.155-162, pp.171-175 respectively.