Medieval Art: A Different Approach to Home Décor

The Medieval era is the period in European history from the fall of Rome to the Italian Renaissance; from 476AD to 1450AD. During this time Europe went through a series of considerable changes, gradually laying the groundwork for elements of the Renaissance and later periods. During this time Art flourished and came to embrace Christianity.

Medieval art emerged from a blend of Roman art and German art, thrown together during the upheavals of the Middle Ages. Its distinct, gothic look owes much to both its influences, and very quickly developed along distinct lines.

It is this distinct element to it that makes it so striking and, even now, is a serious consideration for anyone looking for something unusual and striking for their home décor and home accent choices.

Medieval Art
During the Middle Ages art often depicted scenes from everyday life, and at times was used to illustrate stories, fables and myths. There are a number of recurring themes seen in work from this time, including mythical beasts, a preoccupation with sense and perception, glorification of battles and the celebration of great dynasties.

Of particular importance was the emergence of religious symbolism; using art as a means to communicate complex metaphysical concepts such as love, redemption and forgiveness. Art rose to the challenge and the sheer breadth of the art produced is one of the main reasons the Gothic style remains an iconic and fundamental pillar of western art.

Now many are looking again at the art of the Middle Ages as an exciting and unusual addition to their home décor options. With many possibilities, from quality prints to wall tapestries, they are being appreciated by more and more people looking for something a little different.

Medieval Prints
A great many famous works from the Middle Ages have been reproduced as prints and posters. Some of the best examples from history are now available, and are a real treasure trove of information as well as a unique piece of wall art.

One of the most popular is Les Vendanges (The Grape Harvest). Woven in the late 15th century it was designed to celebrate the annual wine harvest and it depicts the peasants gathering the grapes for use in wine making. The design includes the distinctive Mille Fleurs decoration typical of Medieval art.

During the Middle Ages art was commissioned by the wealthy and tended to reflect dramatic themes and religious symbolism. More rarely work was commissioned to depict everyday scenes, like Les Vendanges, offering a rare glimpse into life during Medieval times.

Although the original was a wall tapestry high quality prints lose none of the original texture and drama, and make an exceptional addition to any décor scheme.

Medieval Wall Tapestries
Although prints enjoy a privileged position in home décor popular Medieval art is increasingly available as luxury wall tapestries. The woven nature of tapestry art adds depth and texture to these already impressive works and makes a distinct alternative to framed art.

A growing number of Medieval tapestries are now available. A particularly impressive example are wall tapestries inspired by the illustrated Medieval work Les Tres Riches Heures (The book of hours). As the name suggests it was a collection of text for each liturgical hour of the day which often included other supplementary texts such as calendars, prayers, psalms and masses for holy days.

The original manuscript was painted by three brothers, Paul, Hermann and Jean Limbourg from Flanders, believed to have been born between 1370 and 1380. The work was completed between 1412 and 1416. These tapestries depict the illustration from the calendar texts for various months, each related to an event associated with the time of year such as harvesting.

Because wall tapestries are textile based the weave often helps lift the original work making for a quite dramatic piece of décor. The best quality tapestries do an impressive job of not only reproducing the original detail, but add considerably to their charm and people can be quite taken aback at their distinctive nature.

Something for every taste
Nowadays many people are looking to Medieval art to add some charm and history to their home decor. With a vast array of options to choose from, including posters, prints and wall tapestries, there's never been a better time to appreciate these unique works of art.

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The History of Eastern and Oriental Tapestry Art

The History of tapestries and textiles reads like the history of art itself; echoing the rise and fall of nations and the changing tastes of societies. Like all art movements tapestry art has a number of hidden gems, known only to very few, that have survived intact.

One such area is Asian tapestries which enjoyed a brief fame in Europe for about 150 years. Reflecting the growing confidence of European nations and their ambitions to conquer the world, these tapestries writ large the travels of adventurous seafaring nations and helped publicize their travels, successes and exploits.

Know as Orientale tapestries they first came to prominence in the 17th century. They depicted exotic far eastern lands like China, often concentrating on unusual items such as fruits and animals not found in Europe. They were designed to excite audiences and challenge polite Europeans ideas about their world.

Their emergence can be traced back to the first accounts of Eastern countries from Jesuit missionaries in the 17th century. This sparked an interest in the exotic and unusual cultures of the East that continues to this day.

Tapestries designed in this style were very popular from the 17th to the 19th century in Europe, especially France. By the 1660's tales of the East were beginning to circulate amongst the wealthy in Europe, brought back by Jesuit missionaries from the middle and far East. This created an interest in anything related to the Orient, and artists soon responded.

Many of the early depictions of the Orient were not experienced firsthand by artists and were often copied from engravings made by missionaries, such was the demand for Eastern artifacts and art. During the 18th and 19th centuries this interest was maintained due to the fact that the largely non-Christian countries in the East were still sufficiently different in culture, language and customs to seem very exotic to Europeans.

Over time this led to the development of a style of tapestry wall hanging known as Orientale. Always distinctive, they tended to be tobacco colored and featured striking images of exotic creatures and people, set against a vibrant backdrop. Many were complemented with detail of local flora and fauna that was often remarkably accurate. Even today these tapestries continue to be popular, offering an insight into the cultures of the East and the preoccupations of Europe in the past few centuries.

One of the most distinct works of Oriental tapestry art is La Recotte des Ananas from a series called "The Story of the Emperor of China". It depicts an everyday scene in China, peasants picking fruit, and is lavish in its attention to detail. It also shows the Chinese Empress gesturing towards the plentiful fruit being harvested, with a pagoda and other buildings in the background.

The scene also depicts other tropical fruits and plants, setting the context as Eastern and distinctly non-European. Typical of the Oriental style it is believed to have been woven between 1697 and 1705 and commissioned by Louis Alexandre de Bourbon (1678 - 1737), son of Louis XIV, and many of the details on the tapestry would never have been experienced by the artists firsthand.

By the 1660's Jesuit missionaries returning from Asia provided these details in the form of engravings, which also created a great deal of public interest in life at the Chinese court. Of the original ten tapestries six can now be seen in the Getty Museum, Los Angeles.

Two of the most famous examples include “Asia” and “Royal Elephant”, both designed and woven by Charles-Jean Salloundrouze de la Mornaix between 1840 and 1843. They were intended for the exposition of Industrial Products in France in 1844 and stunned audiences with their vibrant use of color and their depiction of exotic lands far away.

Like all Eastern tapestries they exude a strange exoticism that is apparent even today. In a time before mass media they did much to help publicize to polite European society that other cultures existed and were quite different from their own.

Although Oriental tapestries enjoyed only a brief recognition their appeal continues to this day. They are often fascinating documents of life overseas at the time, as well as an insight into the preoccupations of European travelers of the time.

Copyright © The Tapestry House, all rights reserved.

Why Tapestries Have Become a Popular Home Décor Choice

For millennia people have used tapestries and textiles to decorate their homes and today that trend continues. Wall tapestries are one of the most accomplished textile-based art forms and come from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds lending them a diversity often envied in traditional art mediums.

In recent years tapestries have become a much talked about element of home décor and they are being used in a variety of interesting and unique ways and many well-known artists are licensing their artwork to be made into tapestries. Any subject matter from nature and landscapes to fantasy, impressionist and modern art can be used to create a tapestry providing the weaver has the skill to do so. These add an entirely unique dimension to this traditional form of art and modern day art lovers enjoy the blend of traditional and modern found in tapestry art.

Versatile materials with a modern twist
Traditional tapestries, particularly those from the Medieval Tapestry era, were made from wool. This provided a strong basis for applying dyes and pigments and had the added benefit of being hardwearing and easily available. Over time other fabrics have been added to the mix, but the basic principle of natural materials has remained with tapestry weaving, even to the present day, with the very best examples of tapestry art often using traditional materials and weaving techniques.

Natural fabric tapestries, usually incorporating wool as a main constituent, hold dyes and pigments well, creating a vitality and richness that shows why wall tapestries have been an important and popular art form for centuries. More recently tapestries now include synthetic fibers that help add strength to the original material. Woollen tapestry wall hangings when mixed with synthetic polymers have the distinct advantage of preserving the traditional warmth of wool tapestries, but add a long-lasting robustness that would have made them the envy of Medieval weavers.

The very best quality modern wall tapestries make the most of this blend of old and new, using new improved fibers to reproduce classical art and famous tapestry art from the past. With the improvements made to pigments and dyes in the last century we can now easily buy faithful reproductions of centuries-old tapestry designs; unseen in such vibrant colors since the time they were originally designed.

As well as traditional materialschenille tapestriesis a popular choice for modern tapestry wall hangings mainly because it is a flexible material that is soft and adaptable. It can be used in a broad range of household décor items, including wall tapestries and throws. When decorating your home chenille tapestries can add an elegant finishing touch which also has a degree of versatility that is hard to accomplish in other ways.

A chenille piece can often be hung as a wall hanging and used as a throw, with all the range of design and color options you find in traditional wall tapestries. However the real popularity of chenille tapestries derive from the fact that they warm the room and make it feel cozy and comfortable.

A decorating challenge
Some spaces can present a decorating challenge. A room may feel too small while others feel large and cold. Sometimes smooth, modern walls don’t quite gel with antique style furniture or accents. Like any form of high quality art tapestries can aide the informed home décor enthusiast and open a window to the past, expand living space both emotionally and visually, create the basis for a theme, add color and give your living space individuality, personality and charm.

Furnishings that are otherwise bland will assume character when complimented with a beautiful tapestry. Choosing a tapestry and using it creatively can minimize and solve a decorating problem by presenting a flash of color or opening a window to another time or place. With a vast range now available it is easy to find a wall tapestry that will provide you with many years of viewing enjoyment.

If a room is small and needs something to make it feel less cramped, consider choosing a tapestry that will bring a breath of fresh air into your living space. This could be a city, land, seascape or a traditional tapestry design such as Medieval. Choosing a horizontal tapestry will help add length to a room or try opening a space by choosing a tapestry with doorways and windows. These types of tapestries give an illusion of added space by leading the eye of the viewer outward.

If your room is large and cold, scale it down by hanging a series of smaller tapestries together. This creates the illusion of a smaller space and can bring a large, blank wall down in size. Hanging small tapestries together will also add warmth to your room. When creating this illusion be sure to choose tapestries of a similar theme.

Charming, versatile and beautiful
Wall tapestries, often rich in history, can transport us to another time and place and reduce the stress of today’s busy world. They encourage reflective and tranquil moments, enlighten the human spirit and are great subjects of conversation. They also elevate our personal space, add charm and coziness to our homes and are balm for the soul.

All of these qualities have made wall tapestries a popular choice amongst art lovers for centuries. Today with modern textiles and fabrics and centuries of tradition, art and design behind them many are finding wall tapestries as charming, versatile and beautiful as ever.

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Floral Art Tapestries in the Modern Home

If you are interested in adding an elegant touch to your home décor without losing your contemporary edge, you might want to consider decorating your walls with floral tapestries. These classic works of art use various plants and flower arrangements to convey a timeless serenity, while at the same time allowing one the flexibility of incorporating modern accents into a design theme.

The right still life tapestry can blend seamlessly with a room’s furniture and accessories (such as lamps and other lighting fixtures), while at the same time providing the perfect visual enhancement to offset contemporary surroundings. Floral tapestries have a way of establishing a sense of balance in a room, perhaps because they remind us of an inherent need to be grounded in the natural and organic.

Why Are Flowers Contemporary?
At first glance, it’s easy to understand why some floral tapestries may almost seem unsuitable for the modern home. After all, many elaborate original tapestries were woven in centuries past and now reside in historical European museums. Cultures all over the world have embraced floral still life art for centuries in different ways, for different reasons.

But one could also argue that it is precisely this diversity of appreciation that has lent itself well to contemporary applications. Keep in mind that modern interior design tends to focus on creating space and light. If you choose a floral tapestry with bright and natural colors, the openness of the contemporary theme is highlighted.

Another way to understand the appeal of floral still life in contemporary culture is to understand the complex philosophical and sociological issues the modern world faces. For many, a floral tapestry can offer a metaphorical glimpse into the human condition. Flowers are often viewed as representing an inescapable frailty, while simultaneously providing a sense of hope and optimism.

A Wide Assortment of Choices
Incorporating floral still life tapestries into your contemporary design theme does not mean that you have to sacrifice individuality when developing a modern feel. In fact, quite the opposite is true.

The open, airy nature of many modern and post-modern themes means that the tapestry you choose can reflect whatever you want it to reflect. There are so many combinations and choices available on the market that you should have no problem finding a piece that not only encompasses your personality and individual style, but also retains the spacious, open characteristics of contemporary design.

The Ivy Column
Consider a portrait such as the Ivy Column tapestry, which combines all the significant elements of contemporary design into a vivid display of ambient surrealism. Sunlight shines on a country house with a stunning array of colorful foliage surrounding it.

The inclusion of the pond in this portrait only further solidifies the sense that all forms of nature are represented in the piece. In essence, this piece has it all – that is, something for everyone.

Complexity in Openness
A range of complex personalities can be accurately represented in pieces such as the Ivory Mural tapestry, the Floral Decadence tapestry, and the classic Directoire tapestries. These remarkable works of art manage to capture the bright, cheerful colors associated with many contemporary designs, yet the intricate floral patterns and organic settings are likely to inspire and challenge the thinking person’s awareness for years to come.

Beauty in Simplicity
On the other hand, some people believe less is more – an equally valid assertion in modern design preferences. The Prestige (Dawn) tapestry and the Prestige (Midday) tapestry are both perfect examples of how the focus on a simple tree can speak volumes.

These tapestry portraits allow the imagination to run wild in the fantasy world depicted by the artists who developed them. The natural landscapes depicted in these pieces exist nowhere in the actual world, yet it is not at all difficult to image that they could. The viewer is drawn in to the simplicity of a single tree, yet the artist manages to capture other faint still life images of birds and plant life in the background. The approach is both subtle and effective.

Combining the Simple and the Complex
Perhaps among the most effective representations in floral tapestries are those which draw upon all of the elements we have discussed. For example, the Classical Rose tapestry is conceptually straightforward – in essence, a vase of roses. Upon deeper examination, however, it becomes clear that the artist’s use of light and choice of background provide a depth and clarity to the piece that touches the soul on a much more substantive level.

Modern Décor and Floral Tapestries
The elegant yet uncomplicated concept of a flower arrangement has been the motif of many still life artists throughout time. These works have been faithfully reproduced in the tapestry world, and they represent an incredible assortment of selections one can employ when developing a contemporary design theme. Floral still life tapestries can contribute to the bright and spacious nature of modern design, while at the same time providing viewers with an intriguing experience that requires an intensity of concentration to fully comprehend and appreciate.

Copyright © The Tapestry House, all rights reserved.

Expressing Yourself: Wall Tapestries for the Newcomer

More and more people are employing the use of wall tapestries as key components of their vision for contemporary home décor. The market for these dynamic works of art has flourished in the last 20 years, and the types of tapestries available have become as varied and diverse as the people who purchase them. As such, a newcomer interested in purchasing a tapestry for the home may become a bit overwhelmed by the sheer volume of choices available. Understandably, it can be hard to know where to begin when choosing the piece that is right for you.

Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference. After all, tapestries allow us to express ourselves and define our personalities. They are, in essence, an extension of who we are. So it should be no surprise that any decision regarding what to purchase will likely involve a great deal of heart and soul. Tapestries can essentially speak to us on a deeper level. However, the newcomer might be interested in a few tips for choosing the perfect tapestry.

Choices, Choices, Choices
First, let’s consider some of the options available. Some of the more classic types of tapestries will have a historical twist to them, emulating Medieval, Renaissance, Neo-Classical and Baroque time periods, among many others.

Medieval tapestries in particular have become popular, because they represent a period in time which many consider to be a pivotal point in the development of tapestries for use as decorative art rather than for merely practical furnishing purposes.

Asian tapestries also offer a myriad of rich color schemes that are not only complex, but distinctive as well. What draws many individuals to some of these weavings is not only the incredible amount of detail prevalent in the pieces, but the emotions conveyed in them as well.

Many of the more traditional tapestries tend to focus on timeless, universal themes centered around love, human nature, death and tragedy. Perhaps this is why traditional wall tapestries have such a strong appeal. These artistic endeavors provide us with a connection to the past and a window into the evolution of human nature. We often find that we relate to the characters depicted in these scenes.

On the other hand, tapestries which are more contemporary in nature can give our dwellings a modern edge. These can range from surreal landscapes and abstract scenery to still life illustrations showcasing colorful floral patterns or elegant assemblies of wines, vines or fruits. Other popular delineations may include elements of nature, animals and wildlife, or nautical themes which exhibit various naval and maritime dramatizations at sea.

In addition, many artists – some well known, and some not-so-well-known – are licensing their works for tapestry designs. These include works by Thomas Kinkade, Linda Picken, Lena Liu, Nicky Boehme, Stewart Sherwood and Malenda Trick. A number of famous historical artists have also had their works developed into beautiful tapestries, including Vincent Van Gogh and Leonardo de Vinci. This provides an accessible vehicle for art lovers to make the transition to tapestries when developing decorative themes for the home. Of course, these are merely a few of the genres in which wall tapestries have been developed.

Ultimately, contemporary is whatever you want it to be. The wonderful thing about choosing a piece of art is that you can define what it means to you. And in many cases, tapestries may incorporate any combination of some the elements we have discussed. The key to choosing a great piece for your home is to find something that speaks to you.

An Affordable Investment
Believe it or not, you really do not have to break the bank to own a fine piece of art. While some tapestries sell for thousands of dollars, the market also offers a huge selection of affordable tapestries starting from as little as a few hundred dollars. Compared to what you might end up paying for an original art print, the value of wall tapestries can be immeasurable.

The reasonable cost of acquiring a piece that encapsulates an individual’s identity means that wall tapestries have become much more accessible to the average person over the years. One does not have to spend a fortune to have a quality work of art in the home.

What is the Best Size for You?
Tapestries not only come in many styles, but they also come in many sizes. You may want to take the type of home you have into consideration when choosing a tapestry. First, consider where in your home you would like to see a tapestry placed. If you have a small room with limited wall space, you may want to consider using a smaller tapestry. Otherwise, large wall hangings can create a cramped feeling in the room.

Tapestries can come in sizes as small as 13 by 18 inches. They can also be rather large (27 by 36 inches, which is roughly the size of a standard poster). If you have a large wall in a big room, you will likely do well with larger wall tapestries. Some tapestries also come in sizes which are long and narrow, much like a banner. These types of tapestries are perfect for long hallways. It all depends on the style of living space you intend to decorate. Some tapestries can make your living space feel larger than it actually is, while others can have the opposite effect.

Other Factors to Think About
Choosing the perfect tapestry for your home also means taking into consideration the environment in which the piece will live. What type of furniture do you have? Is it ultra-modern, or do you have a lot of antiques? Depending on your answer, you may want to search for a piece that blends in with your “theme”. For example, you may want to consider a more traditional tapestry if you have a great deal of antique furniture pieces in the room.

As we mentioned, the size of the room can have a dramatic impact on the style of tapestry you choose. Every room is different. And different people have different objectives they are trying to accomplish with their décor. If you have a large room that you feel creates too much distance between the people occupying it, perhaps you will want to purchase multiple small tapestries to bring about a more cozy feeling to the space. On the other hand, if you are dealing with a small room, you may want to consider a tapestry which conveys a sense of openness, such as a vast landscape or ocean.

Lighting is also something to think about when purchasing a tapestry. Do you have light fixtures that match your furniture pieces? Do you use table lamps or recessed lighting fixtures, or do you use a combination of both? If you are going for a modern feel, perhaps you will want to consider using chrome lighting fixtures to accent more abstract tapestry pieces. You want to make sure you have plenty of light to enjoy the color schemes of your tapestries, but you also do not want so much light that it detracts from the artistic displays themselves.

Staying True to Your Heart
In light of all the considerations, the main thing to remember about choosing a tapestry is to look for something that has meaning to you. You will need to be aware of your living space, the lighting conditions, the types of furniture present your home and the size of the walls you are intending to decorate. But none of these factors will make any difference if you are unable to connect with the tapestry on a personal level. Think of the tapestry as an extension of your personality and individuality, and then think of the other factors as influences on the piece.

Copyright © The Tapestry House, all rights reserved.

A History of Tapestry: part two

It was the Andean Indian cultures of ancient Peru who produced the most accomplished weaving in pre-Columbian America. The technique of Tapestry weaving among these peoples dates back to the beginning of the Christian Era, and was well established by the 6th and 7th century. Tapestry was used to decorate garments and was often integral to the fabric itself. Surprisingly, due to the dry desert climate, a number of these weavings survived in Peruvian coastal burial sites. Examination of these relics reveals some of the most skilled and varied techniques of weaving ever present in any culture.

The study of Spanish chronicles and ancient Peruvian pottery inform us that the weaving was generally done by greatly skilled women. Such was their skill that some of the relics discovered have been found with 150 to 250 weft threads per square inch. Most of the tapestries are polychrome as the use of natural dyes made for a vast range of colors. Strong colours were favored over more subtle graded tones, especially in the Inca period. The designs were often of geometric patterns, or human and animal figures. Plant motifs were uncommon.

The viceroyalty of Peru, after the Spanish conquest, imported looms and the practice of tapestry weaving was continued throughout the colonial period. The Inca and mestizo people developed a surprising blend of Indian traditions and European Influences that is still witnessed today.

It is probable that climatic conditions in Central America and Mexico impeded the survival of tapestry relics so it is not certain whether these weaving techniques were present in other pre-Columbian cultures.

From Ancient Egypt to the Middle Ages

The Tapestries of the Native Egyptian Christians, (Copts) are of particular interest. Produced between the 3rd and 12th century they provided a link between the art of the Middle Ages in Western Europe and the art of the ancient world.

In the 4th century the practice and ritual of mummification was abandoned and the dead were buried in their daily clothes (tapestry trimmed) or wrapped in discarded tapestry wall hangings ; as a result many fragments from the 5th to the 7th century have been discovered in the Egyptian burial sites of Antinoe, Saqqarah and Akhmim. Most of the early Coptic tapestries were woven with native designs often related to the Egyptian funerary cult of Osiris and included the wine amphora and the grape vine or ivy. Because of their relevance to revival in a life after death these motifs were considered appropriate. Other favourite subjects included the lions and the hares, hunter on horseback, mythological creatures, dancing figures and baskets of flowers and fruits. Christian figures and biblical stories are rare.

Tapestries were also used for the ornamental decoration of Christian Churches but few of these tapestries survive today.

Although a few silk weft tapestries have been preserved the majority of Coptic tapestries were woven with woolen wefts on linen warps. In the 7th and possibly 8th century embroidered borders or margins often supplemented the tapestries ornamentation. The earliest Coptic tapestries were done using the silhouette technique whereby a stunning effect was created by use of a single dark color for the design or motif against a lighter background color. Polychrome tapestries became increasingly common after the 5th century.

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A History of Tapestry: part 1

It is difficult to put an exact date on when and where the art of tapestry originated as the surviving evidence is both rare and fragmented (true tapestries include various primitive textiles woven on the rudest of early looms). However, the evidence we do have indicates that the earliest known tapestry weaving was worked in linen by the Ancient Egyptians between the period 1483 and 1411 BC.

Some scholars believe that tapestry art was introduced to the egyptians by the ancient people of Mesopatamia. They argue that since tapestries were not produced in quantities until the 4th century the likelihood of the art being indigenous is remote.

Fragments, preserved by the dry desert climate of Egypt, were discovered in the tomb of Thutmose IV (the 8th Pharaoh of the 18th dynasty of Egypt). Two of these ancient fragments have cartouches of Egyptian Pharaohs and the third is a succession of hieroglyphs. Also, a woven tapestry glove and a robe were discovered in the tomb of Tutankhamen c1323 BC.

In the first millennium before Christ the evidence suggests that the art of tapestry weaving was flourishing throughout Western Asia. Fragments that date from the 4th or 3rd century BC were discovered in burial places in the Ukraine near Kerch on the Crimean Peninsula. The designs of these fragments are very ornamental and of a Hellenistic style that was particularly prevalent in Syrian art at that time.

Another fragment dating 200 to 500 years later was found in China at Lou-lan in the Uighur Autonomous Region of Sinkiang, and again shows Syrian connections and is of silken weave. The archaeological sites of Palmyra and Doura-Europus also produced fragments of tapestries. Unfortunately, the climatic conditions in the Middle East was not ideal for textile preservation and for this reason it is hard to determine that at the start of the Christian Era Syria was a great centre of tapestry weaving and production.

In both ancient Greece and Rome there are literary descriptions of tapestry production. Homer, in the Odyssey (8th century BC?), describes Penelope, whilst waiting for Odysseus, working on a tapestry that was unraveled each night. In Metamorphoses, Ovid, the Roman Poet (43BC-AD 17), describes in detail the tapestry looms used by Arachne and Minerva in their mythological weaving contest.

Throughout the period of the Roman Empire the Romans imported tapestries in vast numbers to decorate their public buildings and the homes of the wealthy. It is generally accepted that the Latin terms related to tapestry and weaving are Greek in origin and therefore that the art of tapestry making was introduced to the Romans by the Greeks.

Tapestry Production in Eastern Asia
The K'o-ssu (Chinese tapestry of cut silk) has long been produced in China. The earliest surviving examples of K'o-ssu date from the T'ang dynasty (ad 618-907). Traditionally, made of entirely silk, these tapestries are fine in texture, light in weight and completely reversible. They differ from European tapestries in that the warps are vertical to the pattern as opposed to European tapestries that are woven horizontally.

Fragments from the eighth century have been discovered in desert oases around Turfan in the Uighur Autonomous Region of Sinkiang, China. And late T'ang fragments have been found in the Ch'ien-fo-tung or Mo-kao-k'u (Caves of the Thousand Buddha's) near the town of Tun Huang in Kansu Province. Although these fragments are not representative of the more developed K'o-ssu of the T'ang period their beauty is in their simplicity of simple repeating patterns of ducks, lions, flowers and vines; and they were found mainly in relatively remote areas of Central Asia along the silk trade routes. The oldest known complete Chinese wall tapestry hangs in the Taima-dera, a temple near Nara, Japan. The tapestry is 43 square feet and tells the story of the T'ang dynasty priest Shan-tao.

It was during the Sung Dynasty (960-1279) that the imperial family patronized the art of tapestry and workshops sprang up at Ting-Chou in Hopeh Province. In the Chekiang Province, under the Yuan dynasty (1206-1368) a government for weaving K'o-ssu was established at Hangchow. The rich ornamental designs produced by the factory were frequently woven with gold and silver thread. Few examples of the exquisite tapestries from the Ming period (1368-1644) exist today. The finest tapestries produced during the Ch'ing dynasty (1644-1911/12) are renowned for their delicate colouring and their use of religious and philosophical themes. Later tapestries from the Ch'ing dynasty have survived in abundance but technical and artistic decline are evident.

It was during the late 15th and early 16th century that the tapestry technique travelled from China to Japan. Tsuzure-nishiki (Japanese polychrome tapestry) is much different from Chinese tapestry in its more pronounced surface relief. This affect is achieved by using thick cotton weft threads covered with gold, silver or silken thread. The production of Japanese tapestry flourished during the Tokugawa (Edo) period (1603-1867) and continued throughout the seventeenth and eighteen century.

Unusually, Japanese tapestries were used primarily to decorate garments and wrapping gifts, they were rarely used as wall hangings.

The history of tapestry art in Korea remains somewhat ambiguous but the productions of coarse tapestry woven rugs with stylized motifs are still in production today.

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The History of Abraham Tapestries

William Morris Tapestries

The William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow, London, is the only public museum in the world that is devoted to Englands most versatile and best known designer, William Morris.

William Morris - writer, socialist, craftsman and designer - was born on the 24th of March 1824 in Walthamstow, London.

Morris enjoyed a priviledged upbringing and spent much of his childhood in the forests around his home. It was here that he developed the love of nature that was to be evident many years later in the designs that he produced.

Discovering art to be his natural gift, he embraced it fully, writing poetry and printing and learning how to weave and dye and work a loom. It was the latter pursuit that would come to demonstrate Morris’s talent at it’s most impressive. His spectacular tapestries became his most famous creations.

William Morris developed an array of skills. He learned to embroider by unpicking antique pieces to learn the stitches; he set up a loom in his house and taught himself to weave with only an 18th century French manual for guidance. Within a matter of months he had completed his first tapestry design. Acanthus and Vine was designed and woven by Morris in 1879.

One of the most popular religious tapestries Morris & Co created was ‘The Adoration of Magi’ it was first produced in 1890. As well as being Morris’s most ecclesiastical it was also the most complex. At least ten similar versions of the tapestry were woven between 1890-1907. Originally designed by Burne-Jones the tapestry depicts the Nativity scene.

Most of William Morris's tapestry designs were the result of collaborations between Edward Burne-Jones, John Henry Deale and William Morris himself. But that is not to say that all designs were collaborations, indeed, one of Morris's most famous designs is 'The Woodpecker'. This intricately designed tapestry is typical of Morris in that he uses the ornate leafy background of leaves, reminiscent of Mille Fleurs. The Woodpecker features a woodpecker perched on the branch of a fruit tree. The verse that runs across the top of the tapestry reads:

I once a King and chief • Now am the tree-bark’s thief • Ever ‘twixt trunk and leaf • Chasing the prey.

The Woodpecker tapestry is currently on display in the William Morris Gallery in London.

One of the most intricate and beautiful creations from the company, known as “the Firm”, is the Tree of Life tapestry. Designed by Morris it demonstrates his talent with patterns and his awareness and appreciation of the use of colour. Symbolising growth and continuous life, the Tree of Life wall hanging is still one Morris’s most recognised works.
Tapestries

Other famous works include Pomona (1884), Design for Flora (1885), and The Orchard (1890).

William Morris Tapestries are as much in demand today as they were over a century ago.