Beschreibung:

DescriptionA Flemish Classical Tapestry, from the Story of the Romans and the Sabines, Brussels, probably from workshop of Joost van Herzeele after Nicolas van Orley 16th century
depicting a festival of games hosted by the Romans, and at which the Sabine women are abducted, all within a deep border with flowers and foliageCondition reportTo request a Condition Report, please contact Adele.Bourbonne@sothebys.com.
Please note that Condition 12 of the Conditions of Business for Buyers (Online Only) is not applicable to this lot.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colors and shades which are different to the lot's actual color and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation. The condition report is a statement of opinion only. For that reason, the condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS ONLINE CONDITION REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE/BUSINESS APPLICABLE TO THE RESPECTIVE SALE.ProvenanceLionel Harris
With French & Co, New York, 1928 - 1936
Arthur L. Erlaugh
Anonymous sale, Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, 4 January 1951, lot 187
Re-purchased by French & Co, New York (until 1958)
S.L. Esteves Fernandez
Christie's, London, 10 November 2005, lot 170Catalogue noteThe subject is taken from a story of the founding of Rome and taken from the ancient historian Livy's tales of events that reputedly but not necessarily took place during the wars of the neighbouring Romans and Sabines over territory.  The Sabines refused their women marrying any Romans, to avoid the future growth and power of Rome. The Romans organised the festival of Neptune Equester and cunningly attracting people from nearby towns then trapped and abducted the needed women. It resulted in battles between the two groups and it was the Sabine women that eventually came between the opposing soldiers to stop the violence and bloodshed and unification between the groups took place. Avoidance of future war being an important message, and the subject was represented artistically in many techniques during the Renaissance and beyond to emphasise the importance of family and diplomacy. 
 
For discussion of the series of tapestries, with variations in the border style, and of which two of wider dimensions and with the coat of arms of the Barbo family are in the Metropolitan Museum (Inv. 42.56.1 and ), see Standen, Edith, 'Romans and Sabines: A Sixteenth-Century Set of Flemish Tapestries', Metropolitan Museum Journal, 1974, p. 214. They are attributed to designs by Nicolas van Orley (active 157 0-1585), woven in the Brussels (or Antwerp) workshop of Joost van Herzeele (active pre 1580-1589), and incorporating print designs for the landscapes by Hans Vredeman de Vries (Netherlands, 1527-1606).