Rare museum quality c.1500-1600s Flemish tapestry fragment, probably border of a massive wall tapestry, has been finished off with a backing that is, itself, antique, and it's been a wall hanging or perhaps a table "carpet" as they called the panels used to top a buffet. This is from among the most magnificent panels I own and have collected myself over decades. one of my favorites. I'm down-sizing my own collections. This is truly magnificent. Difficult to show in photos with such limitations in size. I purchased this about 20 years ago at auction in Druout in Paris. Paid a lot then, and their description affirms my own research throughout museum collections and reference books. You spend decades devoted to antiques, it's amazing what comes up now and then. I love what I do - all of it! The panel was, in my imagination, going to be worked up as a headboard or hanging for above a bed. I've been storing it in archival linen and tissue all this time, along with many others, and am finally realizing I'm never going to do anything with them but enjoy looking at them. Someone else should have this to hang or to create the perfect way for it to shine for another 500 years. Yes, it is at least that old. There are some areas that show a little tatter. I've shown the very worse, and tried to show you every bit of the panel in sections. Hand dyed wool and silk, fine weaving of spectacular craftsmanship. And the subjects presented are superb. It is: 70" long 19" wide c.1600s - spectacular! Nearly 6 feet long, if framed would be fabulous above your bed! One could also cut in center and make 2 sumptuous long down-filled and lushly fringed pillows, but it seems a shame to cut it. Gorgeous old thing!
Very good condition for age and type. The photos show it well. It has been a wall-hanging. There is a muslim backing that is probably early to mid-1800s. Tapestry is 500 years or so, give or take. From all my experience over the years, and I look at every museum's tapestries and study them all - love them, I do believe it is a fragment of a border panel. I can't imagine what a treasure it was originally woven to surround (70" of it, anyway). Watch for more museum quality panels to be listed. I'm un-crating the best of best and listing my entire collection in weeks, months ahead. All sold separately! Should probably take them to Sotheby's or Christies, but we've been internet dealers for 25 years, and direct dealers for even longer. YOU are our customer base. Enjoy! NOTE: will be shipped carefully rolled with protective archival tissue. No, has not been folded ever.
