Woven Art: A Private Collection of Tapestries and Carpets

Sale 6447

Live

| Chicago

Oct 30 | 10:00 AM CDT

Live

| Chicago

Lot 24

A Brussels Grotesque Tapestry from the Series The Elements

Lot 24

A Brussels Grotesque Tapestry from the Series The Elements

Status:

Closed

Estimate: $30,000 - $50,000

Estimate$30,000 – $50,000

Status

Closed

A Brussels Grotesque Tapestry from the Series The Elements

By Jodocus de Vos, after engravings by Jean I Bérain and Hans Vredeman de Vries, First Half 18th Century

woven in wool and silk, depicting the element ‘Earth’, with an architectural strapwork pergola surmounted by a vase bearing a scrollwork cartouche inscribed 'TERRA,' flanked by seated Bacchic figures, within the trompe l’oeil pergola suspending a canopy, beneath which sit three drinking figures, flanked to both sides by pilasters, stairs carrying figures bringing further food and drink, to the sides balconies with musicians, in the lower foreground dead game, vegetables, fruit, bottles and barrels of wine, representing the spoils of the element Earth, on a field of elaborate strapwork decorated with scrolling vine, flowers and animals, within a simulated picture frame border, the brown outer slip with the Brussels town mark and with the weaver’s initials ‘I.D.VOS’.
Height 12 feet 9 1/2 inches x width 12 feet 4 inches.

Property from a Private Family Trust

This lot is located in Chicago.

Provenance:

Private Collection

Note:

The town mark and weaver’s signature clearly identify this striking tapestry as a creation of the celebrated Brussels weaver Jodocus de Vos (1661/62-1734), who supplied tapestry sets to the Duke of Marlborough, Fürst von Schwarzenberg and the Holy Roman Emperor. With its strapwork elements, symmetric terraced staging, incorporation of arabesques, animals and putti, and their setting against a soft monochrome font, de Vos conceived here a spectacular tapestry, using and adopting the grotesque vocabulary known from Gobelins and Beauvais designs. Little is known of the historic origin or commission for this tapestry; however, Koenraad Brosens (see T.P. Campbell et all., Tapestry in the Baroque: Threads of Splendor, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2007, p. 482) mentions historic documents referring to two sets by Jodocus de Vos which might be connected: one is titled ‘Grotesques with Ovid’s Metamorphoses’, dated ca. 1730, the other ‘The Elements’, of ca. 1735.

Professionally conserved and ready to hang. Scattered sewn repairs throughout. Colors are evenly faded and attractive. Later linen backed with Velcro along the top edge for hanging. Additional images available upon request.

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.

Please email europeanfurniture@hindmanauctions.com for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

Corbin Horn

Vice President, Head of Department, European Furniture & Decorative Arts

corbinhorn@freemansauction.com 312.334.4214

Mr. Horn joined the firm in 2009 and has directed numerous sales of important collections, including those of Lilly Pulitzer, Lord Anthony and Lady Jacobs, Lars Bolander, Casa de Sueños in Miami Beach, and Villa Massei in Lucca, Italy. He has also achieved record results for consignments from prominent institutions, including the Toledo Museum of Art, the High Museum of Art, the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Minnesota Historical Society. Mr. Horn is a member of the Antiquarian Society of the Art Institute of Chicago and is an alumnus of the Attingham Trust.

Alison Lynch

Associate Specialist, European Furniture & Decorative Arts

alisonlynch@freemansauction.com 312.801.5462

Woven Art: A Private Collection of Tapestries and Carpets

A Brussels Grotesque Tapestry from the Series The Elements

Lot Description

Condition Report

Preview

Auction Contact

Shipping | Pickup