A Lion and a group of animals under a red drapery - Lot 47

A Lion and a group of animals under a red drapery Tapestry by the Manufacture royale d'Aubusson In the style of La Fontaine's Fables after Oudry. Last third of the 18th century H. 2.28 x W. 1.71 m Wool and silk A cream background stands out against a green background, framed by red drapery edged with old gold bangs, the corners of which are held in place by cordelières. On the sides, garlands of flowers wrap around stems, while acanthus leaf scrolls decorate the lower part; hunting trophies hang in the center of the tapestry. The fable that the animals in the first third of the composition seem to illustrate (lion, deer, cattle and sheep) is not identified, but as P.F.Bertrand (p.262) indicates, there were associated fables. Material and condition Finely woven (wool warp, 7 warp threads per cm), with wool and silk weft, this tapestry is highly decorative. However, there are color highlights in the green part; it has been placed on a slightly sticky (but easily peeled off) canvas. Bibliographical reference Bertrand Pascal-François, 2013, Aubusson, tapisseries des lumières, splendeurs de la Manufacture royale, fournisseur de l'Europe au XVIIIe siècle (p.262)