Audenarde - Tapestry - 1.34 m - 1.28 m - Hunting and stilt walkers
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Selected by Dési van Rhee
Over 20 years' experience in antiques with a background in art history.
Estimate € 1,800 - € 2,400
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Rare Audenarde tapestry from the 16th century in wool and silk, measuring 1.34 by 1.28 metres, depicting a woodland hunting scene with aristocratic figures and tall white wading birds.
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Description from the seller
Rare 16th-century tapestry from Audenarde – woodland scene with hunting and stilts.
This 16th-century Audenarde tapestry, made of wool and silk, vividly illustrates the decorative and narrative refinement of Renaissance Flemish greenery. Its tight craftsmanship, along with its delicate chromaticism blending bluish greens, golden beiges, and softened ochres, testifies to the early mastery of the Audenarde workshops.
The setting unfolds in a deep forest, rhythmically filled with twisted trees and stylized foliage. The eye is drawn to a lush plant life reminiscent of the famous 'à l’aristoloches' compositions typical of Audenarde: winding stems, large toothed leaves, and herbaceous plants in the foreground forming an almost fantastical vegetal carpet.
At the heart of this natural jewel, human figures appear, almost hidden in the landscape.
We see men richly dressed, wearing feathered hats, with ruffs and doublets, characteristic of aristocratic silhouettes from the late 16th century. Some are on horseback, others seem to engage in dialogue or move through the undergrowth. The scene alludes to noble hunting, but in a subtle way, more narrative than ostentatious.
The scene is animated by animals that seem almost to blend into the greenery: dogs and horses associated with hunting, but especially large wading birds with cream plumage, positioned in the lower part of the tapestry.
Their arched necks, long legs, and graceful movement enrich the scene with a naturalistic and poetic breath. They recall Audenard's fondness for zoological representations, but also the symbolic value of birds, messengers of a noble and wild world.
The overall atmosphere is immersive: an imaginary forest, teeming with life, where humans and animals coexist without any clear hierarchy. The impression is that of an 'inhabited landscape,' a theme dear to the Flanders, where hunting almost becomes an excuse for exploring nature.
A piece of silent elegance, it will appeal to collectors, enthusiasts of antique textiles, or decorators seeking an authentic Renaissance tapestry—both decorative, rich in history, and imbued with untouched poetry.
Provenance: private collection.
Rare 16th-century tapestry from Audenarde – woodland scene with hunting and stilts.
This 16th-century Audenarde tapestry, made of wool and silk, vividly illustrates the decorative and narrative refinement of Renaissance Flemish greenery. Its tight craftsmanship, along with its delicate chromaticism blending bluish greens, golden beiges, and softened ochres, testifies to the early mastery of the Audenarde workshops.
The setting unfolds in a deep forest, rhythmically filled with twisted trees and stylized foliage. The eye is drawn to a lush plant life reminiscent of the famous 'à l’aristoloches' compositions typical of Audenarde: winding stems, large toothed leaves, and herbaceous plants in the foreground forming an almost fantastical vegetal carpet.
At the heart of this natural jewel, human figures appear, almost hidden in the landscape.
We see men richly dressed, wearing feathered hats, with ruffs and doublets, characteristic of aristocratic silhouettes from the late 16th century. Some are on horseback, others seem to engage in dialogue or move through the undergrowth. The scene alludes to noble hunting, but in a subtle way, more narrative than ostentatious.
The scene is animated by animals that seem almost to blend into the greenery: dogs and horses associated with hunting, but especially large wading birds with cream plumage, positioned in the lower part of the tapestry.
Their arched necks, long legs, and graceful movement enrich the scene with a naturalistic and poetic breath. They recall Audenard's fondness for zoological representations, but also the symbolic value of birds, messengers of a noble and wild world.
The overall atmosphere is immersive: an imaginary forest, teeming with life, where humans and animals coexist without any clear hierarchy. The impression is that of an 'inhabited landscape,' a theme dear to the Flanders, where hunting almost becomes an excuse for exploring nature.
A piece of silent elegance, it will appeal to collectors, enthusiasts of antique textiles, or decorators seeking an authentic Renaissance tapestry—both decorative, rich in history, and imbued with untouched poetry.
Provenance: private collection.
Details
Era
1400-1900
Over 200 years old
Yes
Title additional information
Hunting and stilt walkers
Material
Silk, Wool
Manufacturer/ Brand
Audenarde
Country of Origin
Belgium
Height
1.34 m
Width
1.28 m
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes
Estimated period
16th century
