A French Chinoiserie tapestry panel, depicting 'The Empress's Tea', from a series of The Emperor of China, after designs by Guy Louis Vernansal, Jean-Baptiste Belin de Fontenay, and "Baptiste" Monnoyer, second quarter 18th century, Beauvais - photo Sotheby's

9 ft. 11 1/2 in. by 5 ft. 7 in. 304 cm by 170 cm. Estimation: 40,000 - 60,000 USD

NOTE DE CATALOGUE: The success of this tapestry series is a result of the fervor for all things Chinese, which gained momentum at the end of the 17th century. The enchantment of “Cathay” was manifest through the works of artists and artisans throughout the Western world in the form of “Chinoiserie” of which the present tapestry is a beautiful example. The series The Story of the Emperor of Chinawas designed by Guy Louis Vernansal, Jean-Baptiste Belin de Fortenay and “Baptiste” Monnoyer and the designs can be dated between 1685 and 1690. The weaver is unknown as there are no marks on any of the hangings, but it is likely that the series was woven in the shop of Philip Behagle, or that of his son or widow. 

In 1664, the ambassadors of Siam were received gloriously at Versailles by Louis XIV. Later the return to Paris in 1697 of French Joachim Bouvet, the French Jesuit scientist who journeyed to China in 1685, may have inspired the designs for the tapestries, although Chinoiserie was certainly in vogue before his departure. He subsequently published a book, Portrait Historique de L’Empereur de la Chine in that year, and a volume of engravings by Giffart was published in 1697, based upon drawings of figures in oriental costume given to Louis XIV by Bouvet.

The interest aroused by the mission may have given rise to concept of the series which would date it earlier, in keeping with Monnoyer’s stay in France. This series, probably representing the Emperor Kangxi who reigned as Emperor of China from 1661-1721, may illustrate as many as ten subjects including: The Voyage of the Empress, The Emperor on a Journey, Gathering Pineapples, The Astronomers, The Collation, The Return from the Hunt, The Empress’s Tea, The Emperor on a Voyage, The Gathering of Tea (although this subject has not yet been identified), and The Audience of the Emperor. Other sets were woven for private clientele in Paris, which included the Presidente de Brosse. This series knew great success; between 1722 and 1731 thirty-eight sets were woven, thirty of which were sold in France and Germany.

RELATED LITERATURE: Henrich Gobel, Wandteppiche, Part II, Vol. I, p. 221
Edith A.Standen, ‘The Story of the Emperor of China’, in The Metropolitan Museum of Art Journal, II, 1976, p. 115
Jules Badin, La Manufacture de Tapisserie de Beauvais, Paris, 1909, pp.14-16
Madeline Jarry, Chinoiseries a la mode de Beauvais, in ‘Plaisirs de France’, May 1975

Sotheby's. Important English and European Decorative Arts. New York | 26 oct. 2012 www.sothebys.com