`Return from the Harvest', A Flemish `Teniers' tapestry, Brussels workshop, after David Teniers the Younger, from cartoons by Jasper Van Der Borcht and Jeroen Le Clerc, second quarter 18th century

woven the foreground with dancing and resting figures, and a figure on horseback, within an extensive classical landscape and harvest at the end of the summer, the top centre of the sky with cartouche enclosing narrative inscription CVM. EXVLTATIONE.PORTANTES. MANIPVLOS.SVOS, surrounded by harvest motifs; within a four-sided red and gold, frame pattern border; no weaver or town marks present; condition in need of attention. Condition: It is recommended that piece should be seen before bidding.  

This tapestry is lined (old Hessian). Faded colours overall. Muted colouration generally. The tapestry is in need of attention.This tapestry cannot hang without attention. Distressed condition of silks, generally very dirty (dusty). Some of the weft threads have disintegrated (rotted) leaving the supporting warp threads. Fragile. Many splits to the sky, which are in need of stablisation. This tapestry needs restoration. It is recommended that this piece should be seen before bidding. Please contact the department for advice. Historically interesting, as from early cartoon, and with a private provenance.
"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."

Generally known as `Teniers' Tapestries, the extensive series were inspired by the paintings of David II Teniers (1610-1690) and depict everyday scenes of country life and commercial activities. They were immensely popular commissions from the late seventeenth century through to the middle of the eighteenth century. The `Teniers' tapestries were woven by many Brussels weavers and also in other centres such as Lille, Oudenaarde, Beauvais and Madrid. 

The van der Borcht family were important Brussels weavers active from the late 17^th century through to late 18^th century.   Jasper (or Gaspard) van der Borcht and Jeroen le Clerc collaborated in the production of the `Teniers' inspired series of tapestries which were amongst the first woven.  They worked under the patronage of the Elector Maximilian Emmanuel of Bavaria and other German and Austrian Princes. Teniers tapestries were woven by van der Borcht and Le Clerc workshop, with one of the other's name woven in them, for the ex-Crown Prince of Bavaria, Crown Prince Rupprecht and the Grand Duke of Baden. Others of the same workshop origin with variation in design are recorded from the collections of The Cathedral at Santiago, the Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, Elveden, Wolterton and other English country houses.

The Brussels weaver, Judocus de Vos (1661-1734) obtained the Teniers cartoons from Jacob van der Borcht and Le Clerc and reproduced and altered them in various weavings. From the initial cartoons, other subjects were added over time. This particular tapestry is directly comparable with the original Le Clerc and der Borcht composition of this subject (See Marillier, H.C., Handbook to the Teniers Tapestries, London, 1932, pp.3-10, Return from the Harvest, pl.16a).