`Autumn', Portières des Dieux: The Seasons. An Allegorical Louis XV Tapestry, Gobelins, workshop of Jacques Neilson, after Claude III Audran circa 1760

Autumn represented by Bacchus, seated on a cloud with a satyr eating grapes, with the zodiac sign of Scorpio above and subsidiary signs of Libra and Sagittarius, with wine vessels below, set in elaborate architectural and scrollwork surround, within a four-sided blue and gold frame-pattern border with palmettes at the corners; reduced in height.



Bacchus. Possibly no.10 of 17 weavings of the seventh 'tenture' from the workshop of Jacques Neilson, started September 1761 completed September 1762.



See preceding and proceeding lots for the other tapestries in the series. 

Colour match is fairly accurate tonally. Just lighter in reality and more attractive.The yellow is not as bright in tone. Colour match is fairly accurate tonally. Just lighter in reality and more attractive.The yellow is not as bright in tone. Tapestry is lined with heavy cotton backing, which is open along the lower edge. Old hoops attached across the top. It is recommended that re-lining is considered and Velcro be added for future hanging purposes, instead of the hoops. There is some fading overall and some discolouration, for example to the flesh colour of the figures. Tapestry is in stable, restored and rewoven condition. For example see the top section of the ground, below the border which shows variety in colours to the ground, visible in the photograph. The ground areas to the sides of the pairs of vertical structural supports flanking the figure and extending above the arch, are a combination of brown and yellow, and the brown shows the warp threads (white) in places, as visible in the detail photograph in particular, which is commensurate with the brown dye. The area of brown ground between the vertical husk supports to the right of the composition is later, than the flanking area to the left of the composition. The areas with yellow ground and their motifs in the far sides are later reweaving, visible in the photograph. Some wear to light areas of highlights, commensurate with age. Small areas of warps showing to areas of pink and cream grounds. For an example of rewoven repair, see the fan shaped scalloped bracket, along centre of lower edge has central area of reweaving just underneath the central urn, visible as stronger colours. The corners have been repaired and rewoven, and the later top corners are of different colouration to matching designed lower corners. Areas of vertical inner borders with repairs and later reweaving. See horizontal changes in colours in lower section of vertical borders. The tapestry has previously been reduced in height, with the removal of the bottom section below the fan-shaped bracket. This consisted of a central fountain flanked by infant satyrs or children. The original height of the tapestries would have been around 340cm. It is finely woven with charming detailing. It is a balanced panel in both colour and composition, and in addition is of a good size.
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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."