European antique tapestries very rarely appear for sale in this country, so it is worth viewing those currently being offered by Peter Linden of Blackrock, Co Dublin. Mr Linden tends to be better known for selling oriental carpets, but on this occasion he has secured a couple of fine pieces woven closer to us.
That shown here was made in the French town of Lille some time during the first decades of the 18th century and is the work of a Belgian master, Guillaume Werniers. Measuring almost eight and a half feet by close to seven feet and depicting two figures in a landscape, it appears to have retained the original colour and dimensions.
The other piece is probably slightly earlier and was woven in the royal tapestry works in Aubusson. Again, the scene is a landscape setting, although this time more luxuriant and exotic than that of the Lille example. Both items may now be seen at Peter Linden's premises.
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