APRIL, A MONTHS TAPESTRY, SOUTH NETHERLANDS, CIRCA 1520 AND LATER |

within a four-sided scrolling fruiting border, incorporating oranges, on a blue ground

Bought in Paris in 1902 by Lady Lorimer, born Violet Wyld, wife of Sir Robert Lorimer, the architect
Sold Sotheby's, 1^st July 1966, lot 18, The Property of Christopher Lorimer, Esquire, From the Collection of the late Lady Lorimer

Exhibition of tapestries and needlework from the Lorimer Collection at the Saltire Society, Edinburgh, 1951

A.S. Cavallo, Medieval Tapestries in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1993, p. 37-38, fig. 38-39-40
Illustrated handbook of The W.A.Clark Collection, Washington, 1928, p. 71- fig.2250-2251
H.Göbel, Wandteppiche, I Vol II pl. 245
F. Joubert, La Tapisserie Médiévale au musée de Cluny, p.168-178, fig.166-167-169-171

The photograph is quite accurate; the colours are well preserved and vivid. It was reduced in height (the bottom certainly cut, and possibly the top). The upper and lower horizontal borders are probably later, reweaved in the same manner than the original vertical borders. There are the usual past restorations and reweaving, especially to the lower left corner and to the browns. Very attractive tapestry in good overall condition, ready to display.
"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 very rich tapestry with extraordinary abundance is reminiscent of other prestigious Medieval woven works with hunting themes.  The collection of Baroness Cassel van Doorn (auction Galerie Charpentier, 30 May 1956, lots 126-127) included two tapestries illustrating falcon hunting, attributed to Tournai circa 1520, from the collection of the Marquis du Toulgouet in Vierzon, Orleans, region. 

The theme of falcon hunting is sometimes mixed with sheep herding. Indeed, the draftsman had to vary the drawings fairly freely around a central theme by juxtaposing other subjects to the original design. This is the case for the tapestries from the Corcoran Gallery, whose provenance is the William Clark collection. In 1928, they were attributed to Arras and regarded as depicting the Duke of Burgundy's hunts. Nowadays, they are published by F. Joubert and A.S. Cavallo without this precision and are simply catalogued as south Low Countries work during the early 16th century. 

Another similar tapestry depicts a deer hunt and is reproduced in H.Göbel's written work (op.cit., Vol II pl 245) as part of the Seligmann collection. 

The Cluny Museum in Paris possesses a tapestry representing a crossbow and falcon hunt (CL. 22857), a theme also employed in a wall hanging kept in Karlsruhe Palace at the Badisches Landesmuseum (Inv. 65/91).