'The Gardener', A Flemish 'Teniers' pastoral tapestry, Lille, workshop of Guillaume Werniers (1698-1738), 18th century

woven with a standing figure with his spade and a seated figure resting on a wooden block and smoking his clay pipe, in a landscape setting, within a narrow frame pattern border

Colours overall is bright, crisp and balanced. There is evidence of dirt and discolouration to the light areas, of the background and sky in the top right corner.There are some small repairs and areas of reweaving in areas. There is some oxidisation to the browns, commensurate with age. The light coloured background and sky on the right hand side of the panel is generally stable, with some minor horizontal splits which need minor attention. Tapestry is lined with cotton lining and has Velcro attached across the top edge. The tapestry has been reduced in width and height. The outer narrow borders have all been cut and joined. Tapestry is a versatile size and charming subject, with very finely woven detailing especially to the figures. For all sales which take place on or after 1 February 2015, please note that the rate of buyer's premium for each lot (charged as a percentage of the hammer price achieved for that lot) has been revised and shall be calculated at the thresholds set out below: Buyer's premium is 25% of the hammer price up to and including £100,000; Buyer's premium is 20% of the hammer price on any amount in excess of £100, 000 up to and including £1,800,000; Buyer's premium is 12% of the hammer price on any amount in excess of £1,800,000. As stated above, the revised thresholds are effective as of 1 February 2015.
"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."

For a comparable weaving, with the same figures in a variation of a woodland setting, with a shield with white fleur-de-lys against a red ground and signed G.W.L.F (Guillaume Werniers Lille Fecit) woven in the lower right corner of the foreground of the main scene, and within a similar inner border and a four-sided frame pattern border, see The Vigo Sternberg Collection, Sotheby's, London, 29th February 1996, lot 65.

For further discussion of Lille weavings of Teniers subjects see H. C. Marillier, Handbook to the Teniers Tapestries, London, 1932, pp.69-91, and for a comparable weaving of this subject from a set from Château d'Anet, see pp.85-86, and pl.60a.