A GROUP OF FIVE FRENCH TAPESTRY COMPOSITE BORDER FRAGMENTS, PARISIAN WORKSHOPS, FIRST QUARTER 17TH CENTURY |

some with metal-thread detailing, comprising three vertical and horizontal sections of border, joined now to make composite panels, distinctly woven including hounds; two joined top corner sections, not symmetrical, both distinctly woven including hounds; two joined sections, one half with metal-thread detailing, of architectural frame design, with bruchrania and dolphins on a brown ground, flanked by cartouches enclosing mythological vignettes from the story of Apollo and Diana

Chefs-d'œuvre de la Tapisserie Parisienne 1597-1662, Versailles, 1967, p. 42-43
I. Denis in Tapestry in the Baroque. Threads of Splendor. The Metropolitan Museum of Arts, New York, 2007, p.123- 127

The photographs are quite accurate. The condition is overall good. As said, these composite borders were made from fragments of a single border which were cut and resewn together. There is some metal-thread detailing which is tarnished, as well as a few gold threads on dogs collars; the black areas with oxidation. Several past restorations and traces of glue; some adhesive stripes on the reverse. Lined. Very attractive and decorative tapestries.
"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."

This "canines" border is found on a tapestry from the Story of Gombaut et Macée wall hangings woven in the workshops along the Faubourg St. Marcel supervised by François de La Planche (or Frans van der Plancken) after Laurent Guyot around 1627, held at the Mobilier National, Paris (GOB 147) which acquired it in 1881. Note that the French Crown furniture had a wall hanginh of Gombaut and Macée with a border described as: "la bordure fond rouge brun avec rinceaux et grotesques. Quatre camaieux dans les milieux, et quatre chiens aux quatre coins" (the border with brownish red ground with scrollworks and grotesque masks, four camaieux in center, and four dogs on the four corners).  The presence of "à or" (gold) threading suggests that these borders may com from the Garde-Meuble royal (French Royal Guard Household) or from a prestigious patron. 

The Royal Palace of Genoa (Italy) has a Story of Diana tapestry with a "canines" border which bears the mark of Philippe Maëcht (or Philippe de Maëcht), master weaver from the Faubourg St. Marcel workshops, after a design by Toussaint Dubreuil (1558-1602), first painter to the French King.