MANUFACTURE D'AUBUSSON, mid-18th century - Lot 161

MANUFACTURE D'AUBUSSON, mid-18th century Verdure aux volatiles, tapestry from a suite of two, fine wool and silk tapestry, probable design by Jean-Joseph Dumons (1687-1779) depicting a waterfall in an undergrowth populated by a stilt-walker and an exotic bird; in the background, a drawbridge tower, a pond and dwellings grouped around an antique obelisk. Shaded trompe-l'oeil molding border, lined. Restoration, slight discoloration. 280 x 355 cm Bibliography: Bertrand (P-F.), Aubusson, tapisseries des Lumières, Snoeck, 2013, p. 120-130. This set of two tapestries can be compared with a famous tapestry bearing the arms of Count H. von Brühl, prime minister of King Augustus III of Poland and a great collector, designed by J.-J. Dumons peintre ordinaire inspired by cartoons by J.-B. Oudry. Considered one of Aubusson's masterpieces of the 18th century, part of a set of fourteen "animal and bird" pieces commissioned in 1740-1750. are now conserved at the Cité internationale de la tapisserie in Aubusson. These fine tapestries, known as "d'étaim fin", were part of a production reserved for export to rival with the best productions from the Beauvais or Brussels factories. In our two characteristic elements of the cartoons given by J.-J. Dumons for these fine tapestries: rock-structured landscapes rock-structured landscapes, dynamic waterways, wading birds and exotic birds.