A Gobelins tapestry and carved giltwood firescreen, the late Louis XV tapestry signed by Jacques Neilson and dated 1770, the giltwood frame, in Louis XV style

with a child feeding chickens, in floral surround within damas cramoisi border, signed lower right Neilson 1770, the frame carved with scrolls, flowers and foliage.

Probably acquired by Sir William Fowle Middleton, 2nd Bt., for Shrubland Park, Suffolk circa 1830
Sold Sotheby's, Shrubland Park, Suffolk, Sale, 19th-21st September 2006, lot 23.
Thence by descent

The frame: The gilding needs some attention and is worn in places especially on front left leg and dirty and would benefit from a light clean. There are some losses to gilding and the gesso as visible fiom the catalogue photograph. There are some minor losses and restorations to the carving and hairline cracks generally. There is a loose section of carving above the front left leg which will need attention. There are metal strengtheners beneath the rear left leg where there has been a previous break in the past and on the same leg there is the acanthus carving on the front of the foot is missing. There is a large section of gilding missing from the inside of the rear right leg. Tapestry: In good and stable condition and with balanced colour. Charming composition, and signed and dated.
"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."

Inventory, Shrubland Park, 1860 (Vols. 1 & 2), p. 42, the Drawing Room, possibly the one described as `Four feet firescreen in ornamental gilt frame white satin shield with wreath of wrought leaves in the centre'.
Sotheby's Inventory, Shrubland Park, 1958, p. 15, The Drawing Room: 200.0.0

Comparative Literature:
Heinrich Göbel - Wandteppiche, Leipzig, 1928, Part II, Vol.II, abb.197, for an identical panel by Neilson from the Rudolph Kann Collection.

Jacques Nielson (d. 1788), Parisian tapestry weaver and contractor for the low warp workshops of the Gobelins between 1749-1788.