A Flemish landscape tapestry, probably Oudenaarde last quarter 17th century

woven with an extensive woodland scene, within a four-sided narrow flowering and foliate border, the brown selvedge woven with the weavers initials I.V.V.Fils (Jan van Verren)

Overall measurements: 500cm across the top, 503cm across the bottom, 266cm along the left side, 270cm along the right side. Colours in reality crisp and attractive. Tonally correct in printed catalogue. The tapestry is in restored condition. There are some areas of rewoven repair in areas overall, for example within the foliage of the trees, and within the floral border. There is a horizontal repair across the trees half way up the left side, and shorter horizontal line of similar repair in the top right corner. There are areas of reweaving, which do not entirely match with surrounding, within the top left and the top right corners of the main field within the foliage, and a small later patch of dark green in the top right corner. There are cuts and joins in the corners. Some oxidisation to the browns, commensurate with dye used and age, for example within the inner border. There is some reweaving and repair along the length of the inner brown edge to border. The original dark brown outer selvedges are turned under, and along the lower edge of turned under selvedge the weaver's mark is visible, behind the professionally attached lining. Tapestry has a linen lining. It is recommended that Velcro should be attached across the top edge for hanging purposes in the future. Very decorative and realistic landscape tapestry. In restored stable condition.
"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."

The van Verren family, are recorded initially in 1658 with Jean, 1660 with Paul and then with Pieter (1663-1722), Jan I (1669-1700) and Jan II (1699-1729), and the latter three family members were primarily based in Oudenaarde with interests in Antwerp and Paris. They were important weaver's in this period when Oudenaarde was handed over to the French in 1668 and then back to the Spanish Netherlands in 1687. There was considerable interest from Paris in the production from Oudenaarde and there was a boom in Flemish trade with the French occupation, see Guy Delmarcel, Flemish Tapestry, London, 1999, pp.281-287 for further information.

For a very similar landscape tapestry and border, circa 1670-1690, signed Cadmoor, (approximately 250 by 620cm), see De Meuter, Tapisseries d’Audenarde du XVI au XVIII Siècle, 1999, p.78.