A BEAUVAIS TAPESTRY OF THE ANIMAL TAMERS, FROM THE SERIES OF THE GROTSEQUES DE BÉRAIN, AFTER DESIGNS BY JEAN-BAPTISTE MONNOYER(1636-1699), woven under the direction of Philippe Behagle (1641-1705) CIRCA 1700-1710

Expertly restored in cream colored silk areas with two vertical folds or cuts through central columns. Minor open warps. Central section of lower border rewoven. Horizontal section below upper border rewoven. Otherwise wonderful condition, quality, and colors. 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.

This tapestry forms part of a series known as the Grotesques de Berain, usually consisting of six tapestries, including three horizontal subjects, The Animal Tamers (the subject of the present weaving), The Camel, The Elephant and three vertical panels, Offering to Bacchus, Offering to Pan and The Musicians.

Jean-Baptiste Monnoyer, the well-known flower painter, is mentioned as the designer of the series and probably based the set on sketches by Berain who also designed broad, decorative borders for the series made for the King of Sweden. However, many tapestries, like the present piece, were woven without borders, depending on where the tapestries were going to be hung. Monnoyer’s designs appear to have been completed for the Royal Beauvais Tapestry Manufacture by 1688 as sets were known to exist by 1689. The series of the Grotesques proved to be so popular that the last set was known to have been woven as late as 1732.

A set of five tapestries from the series is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and panels of the Animal Tamers exist in the Musée des Tapisseries, Aix-en- Provenace and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.  

RELATED LITERATURE
J. Badin, La Manufacture de tapisseries de Beauvais..., Paris, 1909
Edith Standen, European Post-Medieval Tapestries and Related Hangings in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, vol. II, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1985, no. 64