Hi Alayna,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

The letter on Gerard Hajer letterhead can be translated to:
"The society of the eighteenth century shows a pronounced taste for the evocation of rural and pastoral life.
This is reflected in the decorative arts.
The tapestries are the work of Jullien or Huet, highlighting the strong influence of François Boucher."

This probably refers to Jean-Baptiste Huet (1745–1811), a designer known for pastoral tapestry cartoons. François Boucher (1703–1770) was a major Rococo painter whose idyllic pastoral scenes heavily influenced decorative arts and tapestry design.

This composition type is consistent with Beauvais and Aubusson tapestry models of the late 18th century -- especially designs after Huet and Boucher. I would not have thought that this tapestry was made in the 18th Century but Gérard Hadjer is a very well-known and well-respected tapestries dealer so I'll give this the benefit of the doubt and have appraised it based on his assertion that this is 18th Century. If it is examined by another tapestry specialist in person and determined to be a late 19th or early 20th Century example, the value would be quite a bit less.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

An antique French Aubusson wool and cotton pastoral tapestry panel
in the style of Jean-Baptiste Huet (1745–1811)
Depicting a shepherd and shepherdess with a flock of sheep in a landscape
98 by 49 inches
CONDITION: This appears to be in generally good condition with minor sunfading.
PROVENANCE: Purchased from Gérard Hadjer
$7,000-10,000*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia