A FLEMISH MYTHOLOGICAL TAPESTRY 'DON QUIXOTE' POSSIBLY LILLE, 18TH CENTURYWoven in wools and silks, depicting Don Quixote in armour standing between Sancho Panza and a further figure in armour, flanked by trees and with a hilly landscape in the distance324.5cm high, 254cm wideProvenance: Purchased Christie's, London, Fine Continental Furniture, Tapestries And Carpets, 1st October 1998, Lot 206 (£8,625).

The tapestry is backed with natural linen stitched around the edge, with a band of velcro across the top.Overall there are losses and restorations including later stitching on sectional borders, re-stitching, patching and re-weaving of various dates. There are some holes, some gaping holes with underlying traces of glue notably around the upper figure of Quixote and to the finer work of the clothes and armour of the two other figures, some areas that are fragmenting.The colours are muted, with greens faded to blues and other fading and condition loss due to exposure to sunlight including to the central area. The base of the backing is loose at intervals allowing small areas of colour comparison with the reverse.Overall some resizing, the blue outer border is later around the acanthus-wrapped column border.Please see the additional photographs as a visual reference of condition.