Tapestry is a textile art in which cloths are woven with colorful and rich designs or scenes, and these are used as wall hangings or furniture covers. Mythological and religious images, hunting scenes and floral designs are common subjects for weaving.
The art of tapestry existed much before 1500 BC and showed its prevalence in various places including Egypt. During the Hellenistic period of Greek civilization, the art of tapestry reached glorious heights. A few examples of Greek tapestry believed to be of the 2nd or 3rd BC are conserved in the desert of Tarim Basin, the largest basin in the world.
From the beginning of the 14th century, there was a large scale production of tapestry in Germany and Switzerland. Later it spread its wings to France and Netherlands, and turned Arras, a small town in France, into a growing textile town. Unfortunately, this didn’t last long due to the outbreak of the French Revolution, which destroyed hundreds of unique tapestries and devastated Arras.
The 16th century saw Flanders, in north Belgium, become the center of European tapestry production. By the 18th century, the rococo and classical styles of weaving took its place. Over the years, tapestry became a major form of textile art across the world.
Tapestry weaving requires a lot of commitment and talent. A colored image is created on a cloth by using the chain thread and striking thread. The chain thread is mainly of linen or wool, while the striking thread is of silk, wool, gold or silver. These threads can also be made from other common textile materials in a wide variety of colors.
Various other products of tapestry include Jacquard looms, drapery kinds of stuff, and carpets. There are a number of museums that hold a wide variety of antique tapestries. The Metropolitan Museum in the United States holds fine samples of the tapestry.
Wall Tapestry
Once famed as the queen of arts, wall tapestry is a wonderful artistic achievement available in a wide range of colors and designs. Wall tapestry is characterized by a fine texture which is rarely found in other art forms. In the early days, people used wall tapestry to cover the walls in order to keep the rooms warm. The palaces and castles across Europe were also adorned with these wall tapestries. Early century churches had wall tapestry depicting scenes from the Bible. Wall tapestry was a symbol of prestige and status in aristocratic households.
Wall tapestry typically depicted historical and geographical themes, religious and mythological figures and hunting scenes. In order to create a unique and magnificent piece of wall tapestry, tremendous skill and artistic talent are required. A finer quality of yarn can provide a more intricate design, while at the same time making the fabric more durable. The background, the color of the threads, and the design of each tapestry have to be pre-planned.
Wall tapestry history includes Gothic wall hangings, French Baroque and Rococo works from the 17th and 18th centuries, and 19th century William Morris and Pre-Raphaelite art. The wall tapestries in certain countries like India use beads, sequins, and mirrors for decoration. Tapestry themes have close links with history, which is one of the reasons for the sustained interest in this art form.
Moreover, even for modern home interior, beautiful wall tapestries can provide enduring charm. Wall tapestries add rich ambiance to a room, as the fabric reduces sound vibrations and enhances acoustical characteristics.
Today, machines, modern yarns, and novel techniques are employed in the manufacture of the wall tapestry. However, these fall short of the natural appeal and skillful workmanship of hand-woven wall tapestry.
Tapestry Wall Hangings
Tapestry wall hangings are beautiful artwork on cloth that is used to decorate walls. There are thousands of tapestry wall hangings available in a wide range of designs, colors, and shapes. All of them are quite intricate in design and attractive to the eyes.
Since its origin, tapestry has influenced all types of people. It was the major textile art of the Europeans for several centuries, including the Medieval, Renaissance, and Arts and Crafts periods. Tapestry wall hangings have spread and earned popularity in diverse cultures across the world.
Tapestry decorative wall hangings in ancient houses served the function of imparting warmth to the rooms. 14th and 15th church walls featured tapestry wall hangings depicting Bible stories. Aristocrats sported tapestry wall hangings on their walls as a mark of status and prestige. Even in the modern world, tapestry wall hangings have an enduring appeal for artistic homemaker.
Tapestry wall hangings include those with floral, romantic, Gothic, and Renaissance themes, 11th century Bayeux tapestry, the Lady and the Unicorn series, and various other designs from the medieval ages. Contemporary wall tapestry features paintings of many modern artists. Other tapestry designs available are those that contribute a Victorian aura to one’s home decor.
A large number of tapestry decorative wall hangings of traditional and classic European styles are available. Today, machines are also employed in the manufacture of these tapestries. However, machine created tapestry cannot match the artistic dexterity of hand-woven ones. There are online stores offering a wide range of tapestry wall hangings of different designs and patterns. A variety of schemes and offers are provided by the dealers, from which one can choose a suitable one.
Tapestry Fabric
Tapestry fabric is produced by a plain weave technique, which creates complex, beautiful designs that resemble the original tapestry. Tapestry fabric is ideal for slipcovers, valences, pillows, and upholstery. The designs of a tapestry fabric vary from floral to geometric patterns woven from any of the materials such as cotton, wool or silk.
Tapestry fabric is available under attractive names such as contemporary tapestry, conversational tapestry, and chenille tapestry. A wide range of materials is used in the manufacture of tapestry fabric which includes yarn-dyed polyester, cotton, silk, and wool.
The advantage of tapestry fabric is that it is stronger and durable than other fabrics.
Upholstery tapestry fabric can be turned into wall hangings, which can add to the ambiance of a room. The various products that can be made with tapestry fabric include handbags, wallets, baskets, blankets, wall hangings, pillow covers, rugs and mats, and bedding sets. Tapestry handbags and tapestry pillows are very much in vogue in the present day. Tapestry Fabrics with many different themes are available for upholstery.
Tapestry Decorative Wall Hangings replicate the old use of artistic tapestry wall hangings of the days of yore. The difference between hand-woven original tapestry and the modern tapestry fabric may not be easily visible. Thus tapestry fabric wall hangings with ancient themes can evoke a sense of the historic past. Similarly, those with modern themes can contribute a contemporary chic look to the décor of a room.
Today, the modern and mechanized jacquard looms provide us with the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of these magnificent and traditional decorative wall hangings at home. A wide range of tapestry fabrics is also available through online stores, apart from other manufacturers and shops.
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