woven with extensive battle ground scene, with an attack on a fortification, the foreground with various figures in attendance of Alexander and his physician Philip, having his leg wound seen to, seated under the shade of his tent and with protection of his aide, Philip shown holding the letter sent to Alexander by his General Parmenio (Plutarch 33:19), within a four-side border with a flowering trail and acanthus corners, on a dark brown ground, with inner and outer narrow borders 

Sotheby's, Of Royal and Noble Descent, 18-20 February 2003, lot 517, Property of a German Royal Family

Overall measurements: 445cm across the top, 452cm across the bottom, 302cm along left side, 292cm along right side. This tapestry has a linen backing. It has old hoops presently attached and would benefit from Velcro being added for future hanging purposes. It has its four-sided original floral border, and inner and outer banded borders. Some clay residue in areas, to top border, and along the top of the lower border, visible as the white coloured horizontal line. Fine quality weave overall. Wonderful early weaving technique used. Very good and balanced colour overall. Still hints of original colour in borders, such as pale yellows and pinks. It has some repairs commensurate with age. Repairs to far left leg of horse and inner border to left of it. Some rewoven areas of brown ground in the foreground area, commensurate with the colour of dye and to an area below the angel, of walnut colour. Rewoven area in red, to the saddle of horse second in from left. Some other small areas of reweaving, for example to light colours, see the cross against the object being pushed up the rampart in the centre of the background. Some pink tinting in feather on hat and pink threads in stocking in lower section. Charming details to composition overall, especially use of the feet encroaching into the inner lower border, woven into design (not cut and overlaid). Striking tapestry and good example of its type.
"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 other weavings of 'Alexander and his physician Philip', with Alexander having his leg wound seen to, seated under the shade of his tent and with protection of his aides, Philip shown holding the letter sent to Alexander by his General Parmenio (Plutarch 33:19), see Sotheby's, London, 28 May 2009, lot 231, and a very similar weaving, without a border, described as Alexander the Great, of slightly smaller dimensions, 257cm. high, 413cm., (due to lack of border), and of comparable quality of weave, was sold at Christie's, London, 15th November 2001, lot 274. 

There is a similar weaving of an Aubusson Historical Tapestry from The Story of Godefroy de Bouillon', which has different figures in attendance, and shows a physician removing an arrow from a similarly seated figure, and there is no figure with a letter. This subject was inspired by the epic poem Jerusalem Delivered by Torquato Tasso (d. 1595) which was first published in 1581. Aubusson wove several sets of six tapestries illustrating The Story of Godefroy de Bouillon in the 17th century but also in the early 18th century.  The scenes were copied from engravings by Antonio Tempesta (d. 1630), Michel Lasne (d. 1667) and François Chauveau (d. 1676) and illustrated the heroism of Godefroy de Bouillon and his Christian army during the first crusade in his fight against the Muslims when taking Jerusalem.  This scene was described to show the wounded Godefroy withdrawn from the battle, which turned the fates against the Christian armies.  The composition is a literal representation of Tasso's original text (Canto XI, lines 68 - 74). See Christie's, London, 2 April 2003, lot 38. A complete set from this series of tapestries was recorded in the inventory of Charles Gaspard Dodun, Marquis d'Herbault and commandeur and grand trésorier of the Royal Order as well as lieutenant général de l'Orléanais and controleur des finances, at château d'Herbault, in 1736.  A further set of six tapestries, which was probably originally owned by the Montréal Vivarais family and which was acquired by the commune of Vallon in 1846, remains at Vallon Pont d'Arc, Ardèche. (see D. and P. Chevalier, P.-F. Bertrand, Les tapisseries d'Aubusson et de Felletin, Lausanne, 1988, p.50).

The weavings cited and the series of tapestries of Alexander and Godefroy de Bouillon respectively use floral border or martial 🐬trophy borders.