A Flemish Hunting Tapestry, Brussels, workshop of Everaert Leyniers third quarter 17th century

after the earlier Flemish series of the Hunts of Maximilian, designed by Bernard van Orley, and taken from designs from the composition of the tapestry of `July', and with associated series designs, of border from the tapestry of December, the top border with central medallion flanked with inscription DEC.EBER, the medallion enclosing the associated autumnal zodiac symbol of the goat, within a four-sided floral border with fruit and swags, the corners with pendant ribbon tied hunting trophies, with original blue outer selvedge

Colours of this tapestry are not as bold and strident as in the catalogue photograph. Colours in reality are with less contrast and are more attractive. Colours overall are vaired. There are remaining colours in this tapestry (shades of yellow and greens, which often fade in tapestries. The standard of the design is high, and there is finely woven detailing overall. Original light highlights. Sky in stable condition. Faces and limbs of figures beautifully rendered. Minor fadiing overall. Some minor repairs in areas (sympathetically and professionally executed), and very small splits in border along colour changes, which are easily repaired. Tapestry is lined and has Velcro attached on all four sides. The lower edge is open as allows lining to hang properly. Tapestry is very decorative in very good overall condition. The colour and composition are balanced. Very good example of the genre with lovely details such as the stag in the dog collar.
"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 Leyniers were one of the oldest and most widely known families of weavers and dyers in Brussels, with records in the 16^th century, starting with Nicolaas, and the workshop eventually closing under Daniel III in 1768. The Everaert Leyniers family members started collaborating with other workshops in the early 17^th century.  The name Everaert Leyniers, which relates to three members of the family, Everaert I, II (d.1595) and III (1597-1680). The initials E.Leyniers, have appeared on Months tapestries of the 17^th century, from designs after Jerome de Potter (see Month of May tapestry, Sotheby’s, London, 30^th April 1976, lot 16; also with Brussels Brabant mark), which were inspired by the 16^thcentury series designs by Bernaert van Orley, for the series of the `Hunts of Maximilian’ (Set of twelve, Louvre Museum, Paris) and `The Months of Lucas’ (Set of twelve, Metropolitan Museum, New York).

The present panel is inspired by the original 16^th century Bernard van Orley designs for this series of the Hunts of Maximilian, and the main figures in the present panel are taken from the Orley composition depicting `July’, and are the figures on the far right of the wider original scene, together with the identifiable church of Rouge-Cloître, in the background.  The present Leyniers weaving includes an additional grouping in the distance of equestrian figures, after a successful stag hunt, with the laurel covered stag being carried back on horseback. The original Orley tapestries include medallions in the centre of the top borders, with the zodiac signs associated with the season, which for Les mois de Juillet, is Leo. The border on the present panel, incorporating a small medallion enclosing a goat, with text Dec.eber, allude to the Winter Hunt scene for December, which includes the goat, and in the Orley series depicts a boar hunt in progress.

For comprehensive discussion and illustrations of the series, see Daniel Alcouffe, Les Chasses de Maximilien, Musée du Louvre department des Objects d’art, Editions de la Réunion des musées nationaux, Paris, 1993, and pp.22-23, fig.18, for the orginal wider Orley composition of Les mois de Juillet, and zodiac sign border. For a comparable Leyniers weaving, of `July’, with the same composition and background to the presently offered panel, and in a very similar border with some variations, and without the top medallion and text, see Alcouffe, opcit. pg.126, fig.134 (Musée de Brou, Bourge-en-Bresse).