A Flemish Large Leaf Verdure Tapestry, Enghien or Grammont 16th century

within a floral and fruiting four-sided border with parrot and ribbon-ties in each lower corner, with a saffron yellow ground; repair across the centre

Jacqueline Boccara, Ames de laine et de soie, Édition d’art Monelle Hayot, 1988, pg.69. (Offered with the knowledge and consent of the Boccara family)

There are some repairs and areas of reweaving generally, including to the details. Within the main field for example, the light highlights to the dandelion flowers are repaired. For example within the main field there is an area of irregularly shaped horizontal reweaving, near the centre of the tapestry, probably from old fold damage. It is visible (in the photograph) as a slightly different colour across with width of the tapestry in this area. For example the top left and right corners show areas where top border has reweaving joining the top of the vertical borders. The design is not continuous in the corners. The motifs in the four corners are balanced. Two roses and buds in top corners, and perched birds in the lower corners. There are bird motifs in the centre of the horizontal borders, and the lower border motif has repairs to this area. Some of the groupings of fruit have repairs, and reweaving, for example the lower half of the right hand side vertical border (design not continuous), and the area with ribbon-tied bow in lower half of the left hand vertical border. There is some later dark outline highlighting in areas, for example to the grouping of vegetables in lower section of the left vertical border. Balanced colour and composition. This is a particularly evocative tapestry of it's type. It is a striking compositional balance with the acanthus leaves and the delicate flowering trails all extending to the corners of the main field.
"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 ‘Verdure with Giant Leaves’, Flemish, 1550-1600, (340 by 258cm), see Adolph Cavallo, Tapestries of Europe and Colonial Peru in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1967, Vol. I, text, No, 27, pp.106-107 (Acc.no.17.599), Vol II, plate 27.

For two comparable large leaf tapestries, incorporating delicate flowering stems, and birds and insects, within a similar border type, see Sotheby’s, Florence, 23 May 1988, lot 544, (330 by 335cm), and a Flemish Feuilles-de-Choux Tapestry, mid 16^th century, (256 by 250cm),  Christie’s, London, 16 November 2000, lot 109, Exhibited: Brussels, Musée Royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique, Le Siècle de Bruegel, 27 September-24 November 1963, cat. 473.

For similar small fragments from within the main field design of larger tapestries, see Sotheby’s, London, 11 June 2003, lot 18, incorporating an owl and bird (122 by 254cm), and Sotheby’s, London, 26 May 1989, lot 22, with birds (215 by 135cm).