'Cherry Seller and Bird Catcher', A Pastoral Tapestry, Lille, workshop of Willem Werniers late 17th/early 18th century

woven with a seated bird catcher resting in the foreground, with his accessories and leather pouch, with his young male assistant holding out his hat to the standing figure of a young lady weighing out cherries from a large basket of them on the ground, set in a landscape setting with blooming rose bush and white flowering convolvulus `morning glory', with central tree and paths and farm buildings, hay loaded wagon, sheep and workers in the distance, all within a four-sided border with exuberant flowering and acanthus scrolls incorporating baskets of fruit, birds and dogs, on a walnut coloured ground

Colours in the catalogue are subdued and a too yellow in hue. In reality this is more attractive, and crisp and defined in appearance. The tapestry is lined, with herringbone tape across the top with hoops attached. It is recommended that Velcro should be attached for hanging purposes in the future. The left border top and bottom border have been cut and joined. Some oxidisation to the browns (which results in the are showing flecks of the white warps, or having been rewoven). There are some minor restorations and repairs, some of repairs are a musk pink hue (in areas of original brown weave), for example to a small area behind the heel of shoe of male figure, and to the area of the shadow of the sword propped up against the bird cage in the lower left corner, and in the border, for example to the shadow underneath the dog. Some reweaving in small areas, for example around the faces. There is a horizontal line of repair to the main composition panel, probably old fold damage, visible across the trees at the top of the tapestry, underneath the border. There are some minor horizontal splits, in areas of colour change, and edges of joins of borders and main tapestry. There are some small areas of repair in areas, for example to the sky and to some of light areas. This tapestry is in overall good restored condition. This is a very attractive tapestry, of a good size, with well balanced composition and colour. Charming subject, with some lovely details.
"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."

Willem (Guillaume) Werniers (d.1738), Brussels weaver who emigrated in 1700 to Lille (French town from 1667) to join his father in law, Jan de Melter, and whose workshop produced high quality tapestries including Teniers pieces, having twenty-four looms by 1733, see Guy Delmarcel, Flemish Tapestries, London, 1999, pg.339.