finely woven within a balanced four-sided elaborate compartmentalised border incorporating allegorical figures, strapwork and fruit and foliage, and with narrow red inner and outer borders with scrolling yellow leaf and flowerhead motifs

Overall dimensions: 408cm across the top, 413cm across the bottom, 347cm along the left, 350cm along the right. Lined, with linen, open along the lower edge. Presently has old hoops attached. Would benefit from having Velcro attached for hanging purposes in the future. Some oxidisation to the silks. Later hand repairs in areas, for example to the silks, some old splits due to weakness of old silks in small areas. The green outer selvedge is later. This is a very decorative finely woven tapestry, with some charming details and a lovely border. Compared to the catalogue photograph all the colours in reality are more attractive. It is less yellow in appearance overall. It is richer in colour and more attractive in reality.
"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."

Game Park tapestries which depicted small figures within an expansive landscape extending into the background, with the figures involved in country pursuits or enjoying the environment of the formal garden and surrounding woodland, was a popular format in the late 16^th century and 17^th century. The present tapestry is particularly finely woven, and in addition to the naturalistic details there are various realistically depicted animals and plants in the foreground, all surrounded by an exuberant allegorical border, with figures which bring together the myth and symbolism of past allegorical subject matters into the present living space, in juxtaposition with the naturalistic landscape.  For comprehensive discussion of  Flemish Game park tapestries see, Guy Delmarcel, Flemish Tapestries, London, 1999 and I. De Meuter, Tapisseries d’Audenarde du XVI au XVIII Siècle, 1999.