A FLEMISH 'WILD PARK' TAPESTRY, OUDENAARDE, 16TH CENTURY |

woven with numerous wild animals and birds, in the foreground of a landscape, with a boar hunt in the distance in front of the chateau on the horizon, within a four-sided compartmentalised border incorporating allegorical figures, fruit and flowers against a saffron coloured ground, and with narrow inner and outer borders, with original brown outer selvedges

Overall measurements: 382cm across the top, 381cm across the bottom, 271cm along the left side, 267cm along the right side. Tapestry in lined with linen backing and old Velcro, which it is recommended should be replaced for hanging purposes in the future. Faded colours overall, although present appearance is balanced in both colour and composition. Inner edge of the border, joining the main panel has been repaired, with only small sections of original remaining, which is commensurate with age and colour of dye used. Some of the outer dark brown highlighting to motifs and edges, in the border and main panel is later, and there is some later blue in small areas. Minor repairs to the light highlights in some of foliage, for example plant in lower left corner. Very attractive complete tapestry with some beautiful details in both the main panel and the detailed border design with original narrow inner and outer borders. Evocative tapestry of the 16th century, evoking the excitement of the hunt and of exotic animals from distant lands, not always seen together as in this dramatic tapestry.
"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."

Wild Park Tapestries are very evocative of Flemish weaving manufacture, especially from the city of Oudenaarde, dating from the mid 16th century through to 1600. They are often wide weavings which are an extension of the landscapes beyond the walls on which they were hanging, only they often included very exotic animals within the more familiar acanthus plants and oak tree woodland glades. Amongst this genre of tapestries, there were some that incorporated distinctive architectural surrounds and columns within the design, and some became Game Park Tapestries, when there were figures included. For a particularly wonderful Wild Park Tapestry, circa 1560, Oudenaarde, notable for the inclusion amongst the animals of the Rhinoceros after Dürer, see Sotheby’s, London, The Vigo-Sternberg Collection of European Tapestries, 29 February 1996, lot 14. Having been woven around 1560, tapestries woven in the next four decades followed the theme of extraordinary animals and birds within more recognisable forest settings. For other comparables at auction, see a Flemish Wild Park Tapestry, with the Battle of Lapythites and Centaurs (Ovid’s Metamorphoses), Oudenaarde, circa 1600, (approximately 310 by 520cm), Sotheby’s, London, 1 November 2005, lot 64, which is similar in format and design, with forest in the foreground and distant hills in the background. For other comparable auction pieces, within different border types, see two similar tapestries which were sold at Sotheby's, London, 20 May 1994, lot 12, was a very distinctive and important Wild Park Tapestry, Oudeanaarde, circa 1550, by Jacob Benne, with the Oudenaarde town mark and weaver’s mark, (approximately 295 by 505cm) and is similar in size, concept and design, although it included more architectural motifs and figures within the main design, and was in a border with more allegorical figures. Lot 17, A Game Park, Oudenaarde, circa 1600, has the characteristic foreground of wild animals, which in this weaving is centred by a lion attacking a stag, and the background reveals a river and boat, and is flanked by equestrian figures and hounds to one side and further equestrian figures, and two lions, one of which is attacking a centaur with sword and shield, the border type incorporating compartments and more figures than the present weaving.

For comparable variants of the design and border type, from the same period, see I. De Meuter, Tapisseries d’Audenarde du XVI au XVIII Siècle, 1999, pp. 134-141.