'THE RECONCILIATION OF HANNIBAL AND HIS BROTHER HASDRUBAL', A FLEMISH CLASSICAL TAPESTRY, FROM THE STORY OF SCIPIO, BRUSSELS WORKSHOP, LATE 16TH CENTURY, AND ASSOCIATED ARCHITECTURAL BORDER, 17TH CENTURY, FRENCH, PARIS, FAUBOURG SAINT MARCEL MANUFACTORY |

woven with armed figures in a landscape, probably depicting the reconciliation of Hannibal, the Carthaginian hero who fought valiantly against the Romans during the Punic Wars, and in particular against the Roman commander Scipio, set on each side of a river within a Carthaginian encampment with elephants in the background, which were associated with the Punic Wars, within a deep four-sided architectural border, from Paris workshop, Faubourg Saint Marcel manufactory, 17th century

Overall measurements: 368cm across the top,363 cm across the bottom, 340cm along the left side, 343cm along the right side. Tapestry is lined with linen backing and with Velcro for hanging purposes. The border is from a different tapestry, but has been professionally attached and is only visible on close inspection. The dark brown original selvedge has been tucked under the lining on the lower edge. There is some oxidisation to the dark browns in areas, commensurate with age and colour of dye used. There are some areas of later, 19th century reweaving, which have in time faded in colour, and they are the patches of pale tan colour (for example the large area between the seated boy and the seated female figures in the lower right corner and across the leg of the seated figure in the lower left corner). There are also repairs visible as the light /white highlights, especially on clothing, for example dress of lady far right corner, and arms of backs of male figures in lower left corner, seated and standing, together with small areas in the background. Very striking tapestry. Despite being composite is effective and is a good size with balanced colour and composition.
"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.
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The classical subject of the Continence of Scipio is inspired by the scene depicted in earlier Flemish weavings of the 16^th century, woven in Brussels workshops, examples of which are in Madrid, see Paulina Junquera de Vega and Concha Herrero Carretero, Catalogo de Tapices del Patrimonio Nacional, Madrid, 1986, Vol.I: Siglo XVI. Vol.II: Siglo XVII, Serie 26, Historia de Escipion, Pano IV, p.181, and Serie 27, Pano IV, p.200. For the identical border type, on a mythological tapestry, depicting The flight of Melinte and Ariane, from the series the Story of Ariane, see Göbel, Heinrich, Wandteppiche, Part, II, II, 1928, abb. 65 (Sotheby’s, Monaco, 3 July 1993, lot 257). For another comparable border type of a pre-Gobelins mythological tapestry from the series of Rinaldo and Armida, after designs by Simon Vouet, workshop of Alexander de Comans (active 1634-1654), 17th century, Paris, with two weaver's marks on lower right selvedge, including that of Alexander de Comans (AC) and RVF, see Sotheby’s, New York, 27 April 2007, lot 12.