A pair of French Pastoral Tapestry Portieres, Aubusson circa 1775-1790

each woven with a central frame medallion enclosing figures in a landscape setting, edged with floral trails, suspended by blue bow tied ribbon, with further flowering swags, against a cream trellis woven ground (further tapestry folded under), together with a composite border fragment, Beauvais, 18th century, comprised of two narrow borders woven with alternating red and blue cabochon and acanthus leaves, with cross hatched sections on a central stem, within a carved giltwood frame (Qty 3)

The pair of tapestry portieres, purchased, Lefortier, Paris 15^th April 1971.

The pair of tapestries have been professionally folded under and over at the back, and can therefore be removed from the present frame and opened up to be seen as complete panel. They are both generally in good overall condition. With some small old repairs to the ground and areas such as the bow. Some variation in colour and old repairs to the outer hazlenut coloured surround. Portiere panel with huntsmen: approximate measurements – Textile visible from front: 161cm. high, 111cm. wide; 5ft. 3in., 3ft. 7in. On the reverse, folded in on all four sides. Woven with golden stem surround with flowering trails, the top centred with a sectioned fan shaped motif, and a hazelnut coloured outer surround) Calico rectangular section placed over in centre: 104cm. high, 16.3cm. wide Textile across the top: 112.5cm. wide, 28cm. high Textile along the bottom: 112.5cm. wide, 33.5cm. high Textile from left of tapestry: 49cm. wide Textile from right of tapestry: 55cm. wide Portiere panel with Lady: approximate measurements – Textile visible from front: 161cm. high, 111cm. wide; 5ft. 3in., 3ft. 7in. On the reverse, folded in on all four sides. Woven with golden stem surround with flowering trails, the top centred with a sectioned fan shaped motif, and a hazelnut coloured outer surround) Calico rectangular section placed over in centre: 103cm. high, 27.5cm. wide Textile across the top: 112.5cm. wide, 30cm. high Textile along the bottom: 112.5cm. wide, 33.5cm. high Textile from left of tapestry: 37cm. wide Textile from right of tapestry: 50cm. wide The composite border fragment, Beauvais. With wooden mount. Not lined or backed. Textile visible joined (148.5cm. long, 18.5cm. high). Panel comprised of two joined long and narrow border fragments (both 148.5cm. long, and each 9.2cm high).
"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."

For a comparable double medallion panel of similar design and format and virtually identical bow tied central medallions frames, (albeit enclosing animals from Les Fables de la Fontaine, after Oudry, rather than figures as in the present single panels), dated circa 1770, Aubusson, workshop of Menou, in the Musée Nissim de Camondo, Paris, see D & P. Chevalier, and P.F Bertrand, Les Tapisseries d'Aubusson et de Felletin, Lausanne, 1988, pg.158, colour illustration.