A Flemish Metamorphoses Mythological Tapestry, from The Story of Ceres, Brussels workshop, probably Jan Frans van den Hecke or Marcus de Vos third quarter 17th century

woven within an exuberant four-sided border, the outer selvedge inset with section with Brussels townmark, B*B

Tapestry has linen lining and Velcro attached across the top. There are some areas of repair. Some of the light areas have repair or have been rewoven, for example the cream area of the folds of the standing figure in the centre foreground, the legs of the camel, trunk of tree right of camel, apron of seated figure in backgrond, some of architectural and paving elements, and section in sky top right. Lower right corner of border has area of later reweaving. The outer selvedge is later, with the BB mark inset in the bottom left corner. This is a large tapestry, and is particularly decorative and framed by exuberant border. Beautiful detailing overall. It is in overall good professionally restored 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."

A set of eight tapestries of this subject of `The Story of Ceres', with gold thread and within a slightly different border type, with corner ribbon ties, is recorded from the Collection de Duc de Talleyrand-Périgord, and sale in Paris, l'Hôtel Drouot, 10th June 1896. (Göbel, Heinrich, Die Wandteppiche, 1923-1934, Part I, Vol.i, pg.390). The set was later sold from the Collection Empain (Esneux, Château de Rond-Chêne), in a Brussels sale, 1968. Most of the weavings were signed Marcus de Vos.

For a weaving from the series and cited set, depicting Proserpine and Ceres, within the same distinctive border type and woven with the Brussels B*B townmark and the weaver’s mark, I.F.V Hecke, (360cm. high, 445cm. wide) see Sotheby’s, Monaco, 25^th June 1984, lot 3244, from the Collection de Baron Louis Empain (later offered  Sotheby's, London, 26th June 1981, lot 12).  Another weaving from the series, depicting Pluto and Proserpine, woven with the Brussels B*B townmark and the weaver’s mark, I.F.V Hecke (380cm. high, 524cm. wide), is recorded from a Brussels Collection.

See catalogue note at Sothebys.com.