A tapestry dating to 1525 has surpassed its estimate of $35,000-45,000 to make $75,000 at Sotheby's English and European Decorative Arts sale in New York on October 10 - an increase of 66.6%.
 The tapestry was sold by the Philadelphia Museum of Art in order to raise funds |
The tapestry was crafted in Belgium, and features a scene from the biblical story of the chaste Susanna in the book of Daniel. It was consigned by the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
A number of other Flemish tapestries achieved impressive results at the sale. A depiction of Hercules killing the Nemean lion, dating to around 1560, made $53,125 against a $20,000-30,000 valuation, and a gothic tapestry fragment sold for $37,500 over a $12,000-18,000 estimate - up 108%.
A 16th century renaissance table cabinet from Ausburg, Germany was another notable lot - achieving $34,375. The cabinet would have been used as a writing desk, and features elaborate marquetry depicting ruins.
 The cabinet dates to the late 16th century |
Ausburg's furniture makers enjoyed an unrivalled reputation in Europe during this time, and their work was in high demand, with cabinets like this among the earliest examples of mass-produced luxury furniture in Europe.
Another tapestry, from the late 16th century and showing a battle from classical history, achieved an increase of 391% when it sold for $34,375 over an estimate of $5,000-7,000.
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