.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
Alentour tapestries such as this were first designed by Jean Germain Soufflot (d. 1780), Franois Boucher (d. 1770) and Maurice Jacques (d. 1784) for the Royal Gobelins Tapestry Manufacture between 1757 and 1767. The idea was then copied by Aubusson for alentours depicting the fables of La Fontaine and later incorporating scenes designed by Jean-Baptiste Huet (d. 1811), which were woven between 1775 and 1790.
A tapestry incorporating a nearly identical background with floral swags but the medallion illustrating a scene from La Fontaine was sold anonymously in these Rooms, 8 March 1957, lot 61, and a further panel incorporating three medallions from the property of the Marquis Pica-Alfieri, Villa la Vallée, Lugano, sold Christie's house sale at Villa Diodati, 30 September-1 October 1996, lot 91.
A tapestry incorporating a nearly identical background with floral swags but the medallion illustrating a scene from La Fontaine was sold anonymously in these Rooms, 8 March 1957, lot 61, and a further panel incorporating three medallions from the property of the Marquis Pica-Alfieri, Villa la Vallée, Lugano, sold Christie's house sale at Villa Diodati, 30 September-1 October 1996, lot 91.