A FLEMISH BIBLICAL TAPESTRY OF JUDITH AND HOLOFERNES BRUSSELS, 17TH CENTURY After Hendrik Goltzius, with Judith elegantly dressed, feather plumage to her hair, holding aloft Holofernes head and his bloodied sword, maidservant at her side, within architectural side borders with scrolling foliage, upper and lower borders with cartouches inscribed with text: "FORTITUDO JUDITH SAPIENTA CONFORTAT SAPIENTEM SUPER DECEM PRINCIPES CIVITATIS, ECCL VII" AND "APPREHENDIT CENIAM CAPITIS EIUS ET ABSCIDIT CAPUT EIUS, jud XIII" approximately 380 x 263cm Provenance: Acquired from Paolo Asta, Venice The composition and details would seem to be drawn from a woodcut print from 1600-1610 by Christoffel van Sichem I after Hendrik Goltzius (1558-1617) a painter, engraver and publisher in Haarlem. For comparison, please see an example of this print held in the British Museum (Museum number 1856,0614.131). This scene is taken from a series depicting the story of the heroine- Judith of Bethulia. Her city besieged by the Assyrians, Judith pretended to desert her people and was captured by the enemy. Attracting the attentions of its general Holofernes she took advantage of his drunken slumber after a feast, drew his sword and struck off his head. News of his death caused panic amongst his army and they fled- leaving Judith and her city safe. A very similar example of this scene, almost certainly woven by the same workshop and only lacking the text to the lower cartouche, is supposedly held in the French National Collections in Palais des Beaux-Arts, Lille, France but, at the time of cataloguing, this has not been confirmed. The text to the cartouches is loosely drawn from biblical text. The upper section is taken from Ecclesiastes chapter 7, verse 20 and exemplifies Judith's most important virtues to historians and readers of her tale- "Fortitudo and Sapienta"- strength and wisdom. "Sapientia confortavit sapientem super decem principes civitatis" (Wisdom makes one wise person more powerful than ten rulers in a city) The lower cartouche is abbreviated from verses 9 & 10 from Judith chapter 13: 9 Cumque evaginasset illum, apprehendit comam capitis ejus, et ait: Confirma me, Domine Deus, in hac hora." (And when she had drawn it out, she took him by the hair of his head, and said: Strengthen me, O Lord God, at this hour) 10 Et percussit bis in cervicem ejus, et abscidit caput ejus, et abstulit conopeum ejus a columnis, et evolvit corpus ejus truncum. (And she struck twice upon his neck, and cut off his head, and took off his canopy from the pillars, and rolled away his headless body). Condition Report: With wear, marks, and surface wear as per age, handling, use, and cleaning. The whole with characteristic slight muting to colours from sunlight and exposure but still retaining stronger pinks, yellows and shades of blue. Not rebacked and inspection from reverse reveals that edges have been wrapped slightly and then backed- visible main field from reverse showing holes from pulling to fabric, scattered small insect holes throughout. Lowest band to base probably later and some small areas of historic stitch repairs- mostly at good conservation level but of their time. Please see additional images for visual references to condition which form part of this condition report. All lots are available for inspection and Condition Reports are available on request. However, all lots are of an age and type which means that they may not be in perfect condition and should be viewed by prospective bidders; please refer to Condition 6 of the Conditions of Business for Buyers. This is particularly true for garden related items. All lots are offered for sale "as viewed" and subject to the applicable Conditions of Business for Buyer's condition, which are set out in the sale catalogue and are available on request. Potential buyers should note that condition reports are matters of opinion only, they are non-exhaustive and based solely on what can be seen to the naked eye unless otherwise specified by the cataloguer. We must advise you that we are not professional restorers or conservators, and we do not provide any guarantee or warranty as to a lot's condition. Accordingly, it is recommended that prospective buyers inspect lots or have their advisors do so and satisfy themselves as to condition and accuracy of description. If you have physically viewed an item for which you request a report, the condition report cannot be a reason for cancelling a sale. Buyers are reminded that liability for loss and damage transfers to the buyer from the fall of the hammer. Whilst the majority of lots will remain in their location until collected, we can accept no responsibility for any damage which may occur, even in the event of Dreweatts staff assisting carriers during collection.Condition Report Disclaimer