'Herne's Oak', An English literary tapestry, Royal Windsor Tapestry Manufactory, from the series of eight tapestries from 'The Merry Wives of Windsor', after designs by T.W.Hay circa 1877

depicting Falstaff crouching in the dell by Herne's oak disguised with a buck's head, surrounded by Anne Page, dressed as the fairy queen, and her troop of fairies, and her brother Sir Hugh Evans, dressed as a satyr, (Act. V. Scene V); within a compartmentalised floral upper and lower borders, in the style of 16th century borders, the tapestry woven with the workshop crown mark, and Windsor Tapestry.1877, N.4., H.Henry. M Brignolas, in the lower left corner and T.W.Hay., in the lower right corner

Commissioned by Gillow & Co., Oxford Street, London for the Exposition Universelle of 1878. The first known Windsor tapestry 'Queen Victoria' and the set of eight Merry Wives of Windsor were sold that year to Sir Albert Sassoon, Bt., MP, for £1,750 for his dining room at 25 Kensington Gore, London. The price included the portrait of Queen Victoria and a mantle piece
Sold in 1912 by Sir Philip Sassoon, Bt., MP (grandson of Sir Albert) to Messrs. Vincent Robinson & Co. Ltd., Oriental Carpet Merchants, of 34 Wigmore Street, London
Sold in 1920, a set of seven for £600, to Colonel H.K. Stephenson, DSO, MP, of Banner Cross Hall, Sheffield. He subsequently moved to Hassop Hall, Bakewell, Derbyshire
Sold in March 1954 at auction from Hassop Hall
Thence by descent
Anon. sale, Christie's, London, 15th May 1986, lot 223, £12,960

Exposition Universelle 1878, Paris, Gold Medal, The complete set was hung in the Windsor Guildhall, December 1878
Loaned to the House of Lords

Furniture Gazette, 26th January and 7th September 1878
Windsor, Eton & Slough Express, 7th December 1878
Windsor Express, 9th November 1878
Art Journal, 1879, p.64
G.G. Cullingham, The Royal Windsor Tapestry manufactory, 1876-1890, an illustrated handlist, 1979, pp.17-27
Beryl Platts, 'A Brace Victorian Venture, The Royal Windsor Tapestry Manufactory, in Country Life, 29th November 1979

Measurements: 257cm across the top and bottom, 196cm up the left side, 195cm up the right side. Tapestry is not lined. There is old Velcro along the Recommend lining and application of Velcro across the top for protection and hanging purposes in the future. There are some minor splits, at colour changes, for example far right side, and where the border is attached to lower edge, far left side. They are easily repaired and stabilised. The borders have been altered at the corners and cut and other sections of matching tapestry attached underneath. The left hand top and bottom corners have shaped cuts, the right hand top and left corners are straight vertical cuts. There are some small holes and pulls, in the lower left border and lower right border, with support on reverse of the right hand side section. Distinctive tapestry from well known workshop, of short duration. With workshop and weaver's marks.
"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."