A Franco-Flemish woven wool figural tapestry

A Franco-Flemish woven wool figural tapestry, late 17th/early 18th century, depicting a courting couple in classical style, before a tree and architectural background, within foliate border, approximately 270cm high, 200cm wide
Provenance: Reputedly previously in the ownership of King Farouk I of Egypt (1920-1965), after which purchased by Mr Andreas Vatidis, and then gifted to the family of the present owners.

King Farouk was deposed in 1952 and lived in exile until his death in 1965. The greater part of his fine collection was dispersed after his deposition, starting with a monumental auction of silver, watches and Vertu by Sotheby's in 1954 entitled 'The Palace Collections of Egypt', and continuing with further dispersals of the furnishings during the following years and after Farouk's death.

Certainly possession had passed by the 1960's to Mr Vatidis, who first kept the tapestry at his Alexandria residence, before moving it first to Athens, and then to his Corfu house.

The tapestry was then given to the current owners' family, and has been kept in a West Berkshire house ever since