A French Classical Tapestry, Aubusson, from the Story of Paris and Helen, after Isaac Moillon second half 17th century

woven depicting `Les Amours de Paris et Hélène, embracing as seated on day bed with elaborate canopy above, in landscape setting, with foreground seated putti, and within a four-sided floral border 

This tapestry has old lining. It is recommended that in the future, Velcro should be added for hanging purposes. This tapestry is faded overall in colour, and is now a uniform beige, brown and yellow, with small hints of green and blue. As a result of sun damage, the wool and old silk threads are brittle. There are areas, especially to the light silk highlights were the warp threads are lacking, revealing the warp threads, and areas of weakness, for example to the feather in the helmet, lower left corner, and to the bodice of Cleopatra. There are scattered areas of repair, and areas of reweaving, so of which are clearly visible as they are an apricot colour (for example see the bolster cushions to left and right of the seated figures, and the edge of the cloak of Marc Antony. This colour of repair is also visible in other areas, for example to the top right of the composition, within the canopy, in an area of shadow far centre right, and within the border. Browns have oxidised in areas, commensurate with dye colour and age. This piece has not been repaired or cleaned for some time. Balanced composition, of versatile size, with original borders. In need of attention. Decorative background panel.
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For comprehensive discussion of this weaver and a panel of this subject with similarities in composition, albeit woven in reverse, see Nicole de Reyniès and Sylvain Laveissière, Isaac Moillon (1614-1673) Un Peintre du Roi à Aubusson, Musée départemental de la tapisserie, Aubusson, 2005, pp.150-151, which is from the Musée du Louvre, Paris.