An Aubusson tapestry "Le prince en voyage" after François Boucher, 18th century

woven in wool and silk, representing figures in an exotic tea garden with palm trees, flowers and a pagoda; the border with medallions, cartouches and rocailles

Related literature:
- P. Chevallier and P.-F. Bertrand, Les Tapisseries d'Aubusson et de Felletin, Paris 1988
- P. Bertrand, "La Seconde Tenture chinoise tissée à Beauvais et Aubusson", in Gazette des Beaux- Arts, November 1990
- M. Mouillade, "La manufacture d'Aubusson et les chinoiseries : de la Seconde Tenture Chinoise à Jean Pillement"
- M. Mouillade, "La Seconde Tenture chinoise, le fantasme extrême-Oriental de François Boucher"

The illustration of the catalogue is accurate. The colours are still vibrant, especially the pink and the red. There are the usual minor restorations all over. The tapestry is clean and in good condition. It is ready to display.
"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."

In an anxious attempt to relaunch the Aubusson factory and boost production, Louis XV entrusted the role of Inspector and Artistic Director to Jean-Joseph Dumons. Dumons was able to provide original models that were very successful, such as the adaptation of François Boucher's second Chinese wall hangings or tenture.

The first wall hangings woven at the end of the 17th century in Beauvais after the cartoons of Guy-Louis Vernansal, Jean-Baptiste Monnoyer and Jean-Baptiste Belin de Fontenay, included six scenes: La collation, La récolte des ananas, les astronomes, L'empereur en voyage, Le retour de la chasse et le Thé de l'impératrice. The second series was made according to the models by François Boucher: Le repas, La danse, La foire, La pêche, La chasse et La toilette. Boucher's suite is very different from the first tenture in that the composition was much more inspired by the art of painting. A scene, presented by Boucher at the Salon du Louvre of 1742 and titled, L'audience de l'empereur, was woven at Aubusson together with those containing three new themes: Le thé, La volière, Le jardinier.  Jean-Joseph Dumons, who had participated in the making of both the first and second series of Chinese wall hangings, was therefore naturally predisposed to undertake the role of adapting Boucher’s second Chinese series to suit the characteristic style of the Aubusson factory. The link between the various Chinese wall hanging series of Beauvais, and the later Aubusson Chinese wall hangings is established through Jean-Joseph Dumons, who played an important role in the posterity of the first series.