A Flemish Gothic tapestry fragment, Brussels early 16th century

woven with foreground figures of an elderly lady carrying golden staff and holding a chalice before a kneeling bearded elderly gentleman with a crown on a cushion lying before him on a mille-fleurs ground with a strawberry plant, with a young lady at his aid, onlooking figures stand behind them all, in the background a young armoured young man stands before a high priest and an altar with a golden figurine of armoured figure with a shield and staff, with three men and a lady at their sides, set in a landscape with hills and trees in the background, lacking border, later red and blue outer selvedge

For a tapestry which includes a very similar small figurine as in the present panel, see a `Court Scene' tapestry panel, first quarter 16^th century, probably Brussels, (406 x 543) discussed and illustrated in G.F. Wingfield Digby, The Tapestry Collection – Medieval and Renaissance, Victoria and Albert Museum, London 1980, no. 34, pp.44-45, pl.54-55A, together with other court scene tapestries of this date.

Similar auction comparables, all with figures in contemporary dress, include a Brussels court scene, circa 1520, of similar concept, with a kneeling older man and young lady within a larger figural composition (reduced height 275 x 375), and within a four-sided floral border on blue ground, sold at Sotheby's, Tyninghame, 28^th September 1987, lot 45 and another similar, with a standing older man and younger lady (315 x 310), lot 167, which includes the mille-fleurs ground. A similar fragment with floral ground, without a border, with a virtually life side figure similar to the small figurine in the present tapestry panel, was offered at Sotheby's, London, 20^th May 1994, lot 13.

A.Cavallo, Tapestries of Europe and Colonial Peru in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1967, Vol. I, text, Vol II, pl.23-24, catalogues and illustrates comparable Brussels tapestries, including a panel depicting The Miracles of Saint Claude, circa 1500-1525, which has the two groups of figures and mille-fleurs ground, and equally striking and bold composition and weaving style.

 

This tapestry is partially lined with linen strips. It would benefit from being relined and having Velcro attached across the top for future hanging purposes. Colours are bold. Composition is balanced. The tapestry is lined. It is recommended that Velcro be attached for future hanging purposes. There are some repairs in areas, commensurate with age, and they do not detract from the overall appearance. For example small repairs to faces and light areas. Tapestry would benefit from a clean. As a result of printing images of fine weave, there are yellow and blue dappled markings in areas, called moiré, it is especially visible in light areas, which is not the colour of the tapestry in reality. For example see the light colour steps in the top centre of the composition where the moiré is visible in the catalogue image. Some beautiful examples of early weaving technique, such as eccentric weave and hachures. Very finely woven faces. Realistic figural compositions. Charming details, for example the mille-fleurs ground and strawberries, the cross and richness evoked by the robes and collars, and the evocative faces. Highly decorative tapestry of versatile size and very good overall restored 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.
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