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Woven Art: A Private Collection of Tapestries and Carpets
|
- Sale 6447
Live
| Chicago
Oct 30 | 10:00 AM CDT
Live
| Chicago
Sale 6447
| Chicago
| Chicago
Estimate$30,000 – $50,000
Provenance:
Sotheby's, London, November 20, 1964, Lot 2
Sotheby's, London, May 26, 1967, Lot 40
Galerie Dario Boccara, Paris
Collection of Jack Benardout, London
Collection of Akram Ojjeh, Paris
Christie's, Monaco, Collection of Arkam Ojjeh, December 11, 1999, Lot 1027
Private Collection
Acquired from above by present owner
Note:
This magnificent Renaissance tapestry is part of a series depicting the story of Cyrus the Great, founder of the Persian Empire in the 6th century BC, a subject mirroring the Habsburg political ideals of a just ruler. The story recounts how Astyages, king of the Medes and grandfather of Cyrus, is frightened by a prophecy that he would be dethroned by Cyrus and orders the knight Harpagus to kill his grandson. Harpagus, however, entrusted Cyrus to a shepherd with orders to abandon him on a desolate mountain. Cyrus survived and later allied himself with Harpagus to overthrow King Astyages. This tapestry depicts an early episode of the story, showing Harpagus at the moment of his appointment as head of the army.
A set of five tapestries from the early version of this series is now in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston (see A. Cavallo, Textiles Catalogue, Boston, 1986, pp. 48–55, nos. 9a–9e). That set includes three panels with the mark of the weaver Jan van der Moyen (or Dermoyen), a member of one of Brussels’ major dynasties of tapestry weavers and dealers. The fact that the corresponding panel in Boston bears der Moyen’s mark allows a confident attribution of the present tapestry.
See D. Boccara, Les belles heures de la tapisserie, Zoug, 1971, p.63.
Sturdy, ready-to-hang condition with wear and repairs for stability and conservation as is normal. Moderately faded colors, especially the sky and flesh tones, and would benefit from cleaning. Mounted on later muslin backing.
The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.
The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.
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Corbin Horn
Vice President, Head of Department, European Furniture & Decorative Arts
