A Brussels mythological tapestry of the Departure of Meleager for the Hunt of the Calydonian Boar second half 17th century

woven throughout with silver thread.

Butterfield and Butterfield, San Francisco, March 10, 11, 12 and 13, 1987, lot 1529

New lining with velcro. Reduced. Very minor splits and open warps. Some well-done restoration throughout, particularly to border and light-colored silks. Some areas of expertly done reweaving. Preponderance of silver thread, some tarnishing. Lovely colors of the whole palette. Ready to hang.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

In 1658 Charles Le Brun executed a series of drawings depicting the history of Meleager inspired by Ovid's Metamorphosis for Jean Valdor (1616-1675), a merchant from Liège and the director of the Maincy workshops (Koenraad Brosens, "Flemish Production, 1660-175", Tapestry in the Baroque, Threads of Splendor, Thomas P. Campbell, ed., New York, New Haven, and London, 2007, p. 442). Valdor had cartoons made and he leased them to a number of prominent weavers in 1672 and 1673, including Gerard Peemans, Gerard van der Strecken, Willem van Leefdael. The drawings of Le Brun were engraved by Bernard Picart in Amsterdam around 1714. All of the original drawings were lost with the exception of the Hunt of Meleager and the Death of Meleager. These two were acquired by Louis XVIII and are now in the Louvre (inv. nos. 2899 and 2900). Another version of this subject was sold at Sotheby's, Monaco, June 24, 1985, lot 974.