A very fine Antique Silk & Wool "Dames de Conversation" Oudenaarde Tapestry Circa 1740

A very fine Silk and Wool Hand-woven Tapetsry Panel 'Conversations Des Dames'; as described in the book 'Tapisseries d'Aunenaarde', in which it is given the title 'Women Next To A Pool', the design is attributed to Jan-Karel Van de Cruys. The author of this section, Ingrid de Meuter, cannot assign it with any certainty to a precise workshop in Oudenaarde, but mentions Jan-Baptist Brandt and Jacobus de Bock as possibilities, and is more convinced in her assertion that the set was woven for the Antwerp tapestry merchant Nicolaas Naulaerts. 

Fractionally reduced in height, but with original borders. 

A smaller version of this tapestry hangs in Westerlo Castle.

Oudenaarde.

Circa 1740.

Some minor restoration.

273 x 268cm / 107.52" x 105.55"