On October 31 at Le Raincy (near Paris), Touati-Duffaud auctioneer, assisted by our specialists, will auction a rare set of tapestries of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, one of Brussels and two woven in Aubusson. One of these tapestries covers a highly symbolic theme since the late Middle Ages: the bear hunting.

For years the king of the animals was not the lion. Since prehistoric times, this is the bear which was the subject of all admiration. In the middle Ages, however, the beast is humiliated and hunted.

In Europe, the bear hunt was long encouraged by the Church who saw the brown bear as a rival of Christ. In France, the last official track took place in 1963.

This hunt was the subject of many representations.

This is precisely one of the main themes of the tapestry, woven in Aubusson in the seventeenth century, which will be offered for sale in late October.

Measuring 2m90 high by 2m27 wide and in good condition, it is reasonably estimated at between £1,000 and £1,500.

If you like the subject and that you have the required height under ceiling, this tapestry could be proven to be a very good investment for two reasons:

- 1 / the tapestry market has never been this low in 30 years.

- 2 / an identical tapestry is preserved in the Museum of Art and History in Freiburg.

The three tapestries that will be sold have similar models in the French state collections or in Switzerland.

 

For more information: http://www.touati-duffaud.com