elaborately worked in vibrantly coloured wools and embroidered in silk, with gilt, silvered metal and glass beads, the centre with the Arms of Prince of Orange (later William II of the Netherlands) and Anna Pavlovna, the simulated ermine mantle embroidered in silk, within a blue dotted field surrounded by scrolled fringed border with shaped panels elaborately decorated with trellis cartouches, scrolled foliage, fruits and flowers on green cream and dark blue grounds, the coat-of-arms and border overall highlighted with a quantity of gilt and silvered metal and various small colour glass beads

Collection Helmut Horten, Düsseldorf, bought from the Privatgalerie Scheherezade in Cologne for DM 187.000 in December 1968;
Private Collection, Germany

In good overall condition. Minor stains. Some oxidation to the metal beads. Minor losses. Some loss of the embroidered light threads within the coat-of-arms which are simulating the ermine, which reveal the foundation. Old fold lines horizontally across the panel, where folded into three at some point. This does not detract from the overall appearance. The reverse is partially lined with central lining panel, the outer edges are not lined. Visible within on the reverse to areas of the unlined border areas, there are some areas of old glue (brown substance) hardened in areas to the back of the panel. The upper border has later suspension rings attached. The fringe edging has been applied to four-sides. Overall attractive and striking piece.
"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."

Prince William Frederick George Louis of Orange-Nassau (1792-1849) and Grand Duchess Anna Pavlovna (1795-1865), daughter of Tsar Paul I  married on 21 February 1816 at the Chapel of the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg. The marriage had been suggested by her brother the Tsar Alexander I in 1815, as a symbol of the new alliance created after the Congress of Vienna. As it had been decided that no member of the Romanov family should be forced to marry against their will, William was invited to Russia before the wedding so that Anna could get to know him and consent to marry him, which she did. The couple remained in Russia for one year after which they settled in the (then united Northern and Southern) Netherlands where they alternatively lived in their (favourite) Brussels and The Hague residences. Due to the Belgian revolution in 1830 they definitively had to leave Belgium and from then on they resided mainly in the Kneuterdijk Palace in The Hague. After the abdication of King William I on 7 October 1840 William became King William II of the Netherlands and Anna his Queen Consort. It is very well possible that this tapestry  was specially made for this occasion, although until now no documentary evidence 🧸has been found to further support this theory.

Apart of the style of the tapestry – its elaborate Rococo style can be easily compared with many works made for instance by the Imperial Porcelain manufactory during the reign of Tsar Nicolas I (1825-1855) - the combination of various techniques (weaving, embroidery and with application of metal and glass) is alཧso typical for Russian tapestry art of that time.