Tapestry is considered to be a form of textile art. Unlike painting, the artist works this by hand on a vertical loom. The difference between this technique and cloth making is the fact that all the warp threads are hidden from view.

A tapestry is commonly made using cotton or wool. To make it look more elegant, others use more expensive fabrics like gold, silk or silver. Before a tapestry is made, a blueprint is first drawn by an artist and then sown by a craftsman.

The history of tapestries dates back to the Greeks after archeologists discovered samples in the desert of the Tarim Basin dating back to the 3rd century BC.

Through the years, this craft spread throughout Europe and in the 14th century, various designs were created in both Germany and Switzerland.

One organization that recognized its value was the Church which used it to illustrate bible stories to its illiterate believers. The oldest of these happen to be the Apocalypse of St John which consists of six hangings measuring 18 feet in height and 471 feet in length which took 4 years to finish.

The Hundred Years War which lasted from 1337 to 1453 forced weavers to flee from the fighting and settle in the northern France town of Arras. Here, the weavers specialized in making tapestries out of wool that they got a lot of orders from all over Europe and displayed in numerous castles and palaces.

You will only find a handful of these in France because a vast majority of the art work was destroyed during the French revolution. In the 16th and 17th century, Belgium became the center of European tapestry production.

Modern tapestry making would never have happened without the vision of William Morris who established the Arts and Craft Movement. He did this by reviving many old crafts and later on established his own company which experts say helped revive the aging craft.

Today, there are only a handful of hand woven tapestries. If you happen to have one, you can even have them repair or restore it.

Decorative tapestry was so saleable back then because it was very easy to move around. Someone can set it up and then remove this without any difficulty.

Since there is still a demand for it now, companies that once produced this by hand have now invested in machines. Some of these are displayed in museums and if you want one for yourself, this won’t be a problem as you can now purchase these at an affordable price.

If you want a challenge, do it the old fashioned way and make this by yourself by hand. Just keep in mind that you won’t be able to finish this overnight.

The Europeans were not the only ones who used tapestries. There is evidence which shows that the Egyptians and the Incas used this to bury their dead. But despite that, it was the French that helped make this craft what it is today.

Tapestries come in different sizes and shapes so if you are thinking about decorating your home, consider getting a tapestry instead of a painting. Best of all, you don’t have to frame it so there won’t be any problem transferring this to another section of your house.

Tapestries are made of different fabrics. There is wool, cotton, chenille, silk and a lot more. Some of these look good as curtains while others are ideal to put on the wall or floor.

Regardless of what fabric you buy, stores that offer these sell this to you by the yard. The price varies on two things, the material and the design so you could be paying less than $10 or a little over $20. Here are some of the designs that you will likely find when you go out shopping.

The first is the unicorn and the reason why you will find these in stores is because it has magical and religious implications. It is magical because it represents fidelity, desire for progeny, fidelity, love and marriage. It is also religious because it represents Christ’s incarnation, passion and resurrection. One of the most famous is the Lady of the Unicorn which took more than 15,000 people to finish.

Another design is the medieval tapestry. Here, you have knights on horseback or in battle, a coat of arms and a few religious figures. This is best explained by the fact that each one artwork was human, personal and spiritual.

You also have Renaissance tapestry and by looking at it, you might even say that what you see depicted there is better than the real thing because it produces the illusion of what life should be. The original copies of these tapestries costs more than $200,000 a piece. It is a good thing you don’t have to pay for that when there are replicas readily available.

For people who are very religious, you have to get a tapestry similar to those made by Raphael. You have to remember that he created numerous tapestries often referred to as cartoons which until now can be seen in the Sistine Chapel in Rome. Here, you will get to see images which depict the Acts of the Apostles but Raphael is also known for the Madonna.

If you are a nature lover, you will enjoy getting Verdure tapestries as it depicts forests and landscapes with a few animals, hunters and mythological creatures.

Similar to Verdure tapestries are the Aubusson. This is great to have if you have a farm because the picture shows open lands and cottages in the countryside. Historians believe that this was done to demonstrate wealth and power.

Here at home, we have the American tapestry. Yes this also depicts reality but in an American setting. Some of those you seen in stores are made in Belgium while others come from China.

If you like flowers, there is the floral tapestry. Some of the designs include a bunch of flowers in a vase or wreathes. People enjoy having this in their home because it brightens and warms up any room.

A combination of floral, modern and medieval tapestries can be found in chenille tapestries. The best part about this design is that they don’t only make good wall décor but this can also be used as blankets, rugs and throws.

There are other designs to choose from should you decide to have tapestries in your home. Before you buy one, make sure that this will fit nicely on your wall or wherever else you want to put it otherwise you will have to cut it.

Buying room accents can be pretty confusing especially if you do not know what to really buy. This is especially true with accent pieces that are not usually being used for the home. One of the pieces that is hard to really buy and pick out is the tapestry which is not often seen in the United States.

Buying a tapestry can be really tricky especially if this is the first time that you will be getting one. Below are some tips and tricks that you can help you with your predicament.

1. Size of the room
The size of the room will determine the size of the tapestries that you should be looking for. Tapestries can easily overwhelm a room with its presence and it is hard to really look for the right size that will fit the room. Tapestries that are large will only suit a room with a higher ceiling and a large bare wall. Otherwise, you should be looking for smaller ones that can function the same way as painting on wall.

2. Color Scheme
In buying tapestries, make sure that you take note of the colors of the room. Clashing colors in an area can be nerve-wracking especially if you have bright colors within. Some will say that tapestries will have a lot of colors as they will frequently depict scenes. But tapestries will have a dominating color seen on the background or at the frames. Some will also have a prevailing shade like reds and yellows. Make sure that the colors match the furniture or at the very least complement the area.

3. Intricate detail
The details weaved into the tapestry is another consideration that people should look into when buying the tapestry. Those with more detailed work will look more expensive and can serve as the focal point in any room. Detailed tapestries will be great conversation pieces in any room.

4. Pattern or picture
People who have patterns or picture will also be another consideration when buying a tapestry. If you are putting it in a room that is more serious and more somber, the tapestries should be more or less serious in theme. This should often be put into the rooms like the study and the library. Quirky pieces should be put in the living areas where it can become great conversation pieces. Quirky themes can also serve to brighten up the room which can lighter up an area in the house.

5. Price point
Of course, one of the most important consideration when checking out for a tapestry is the price point. Make sure that before you buy, you check the price point that you can afford. That way, you will have more room to check for designs. Knowing up to when you should be buying will more or less give you a direction when buying.

6. influence
When buying tapestries, also take note of the influence. French tapestries will suit furniture and interiors that are more French in origin while those with an oriental theme will be better suited to zen-like furniture and interiors. This will make sure that the general theme will not clash with the tapestry that you bought for the room.

Choosing a tapestry is not as simple as it looks like but it can be more fun to do.

When we talk about tapestries we can’t help but feel nostalgic or more precisely, feel historic. Tapestries have been around as far back as ancient Greece. The actual value of antique tapestries, therefore, is quite high and we’re not talking about the monetary value alone for that piece of textile hanging in the living room is an important witness to our history.

People used to hang huge textiles on their walls to protect them from the cold. But soon these huge pieces of cloth became more than just that. They became a medium of artistic expressions and the weaving process itself became a precise science in itself. As demand began to increase, centers of tapestry making began to emerge in various places, creating specialties and trademarks. Countries like England, Holland, Italy, and France were identified as places where unique and quality tapestries were produced. The high and the wealthy in society went to these places to commission skillful artisans for huge pieces of art. However, it was in Paris, France where tapestry making was developed into an art form.

French made tapestries were said to incorporate the use of gold threads obviously to showcase the social status of the person who commissioned the piece. It is therefore unfortunate to know that most of these French made tapestries were destroyed during the French revolution precisely because of the gold threads. The poor and the hungry harvested what ever value they can get.

Today, among the oldest surviving tapestries were those made in England during the 14th and 15th centuries. Based on what experts could gather from the tapestries themselves, the oldest ones that we know of came from Barcheston in Warwickshire. Others were from the looms of a Mortlake factory which was supposed to be been operational in the early 1600s.

Among the more well known manufacturers back then include Arras, Beauvais, Aubusson, Feletin, Bruges, Ghent, Gobelins, and Audenarde. These were the favorites of the nobles, kings and queens of old. These manufacturers have their own trademarks and collectors must learn to discern which is which.

But an important piece of information is knowing the fact that the tapestries that came out from these manufacturers have borders which oftentimes are unique to each maker. These borders are usually the first parts destroyed in a tapestry. Therefore, finding an old tapestry with borders still in tact is a great find and can actually be worth quite a lot.

During the course of history, the designs depicted in these tapestries changed from Roman battlefields to aristocrat hunting scenes. And probably one of the precursors of change is when the church actually commissioned the great Raphael to come up with the “Acts of the Apostles” series. This began the age where tapestries were used to imitate famous paintings and painters were included in the process of making one.

It was in the 16th century that tapestry making saw a new light in the guise of the Jacquard loom. The loom was developed in Flanders and brought tapestry making to a wider market. Suddenly kings and queens were not the only ones who can commission the work. But still, the looms were still not as “skillful” as master artisans of the trade who have been hand weaving tapestries for years.

After reading through, you should have seen the importance and value of tapestries. The older ones are more expensive, yes, that thing is for certain. And they are also the most wealthy in terms of historical content.

A tapestry has been considered as a work of art a long time ago. Evidence of this is the value of some of the most artful tapestries made by the ancient master. The Baveux Tapestry is just one example of a tapestry treated as a valuable work of art.

The Baveux Tapestry is an ancient tapestry that depicts events leading into the 1066 invasion of Normans in England. It is a tapestry made of embroidered cloth stretching 20 inches by 230 feet long. There are also Latin annotations written on the tapestry itself. This artful tapestry is displayed at a special museum located in Baveux, in Normandy France. There is also a replica of the tapestry being displayed at Reading in Berkshire, England.

This ancient tapestry's origin is first reported from a written reference from a 1476 inventory of objects contained at the Baveux Cathedral. Although the origins of the said tapestry is still clouded in mystery for lack of actual evidence, it is said to have been commissioned and created by Queen Matilda who was William the Conqueror's wife. It is also said that the Queen's ladies in waiting also had a hand in creating this marvelous piece of tapestry.

But there is also some research that shows the tapestry as being commissioned by Bishop Odo who was William's half-brother. The reason that the early reference to the existence of the Bayeux Tapestry coming from the Bayeux Cathedral which was built by Bishop Odo. Under Odo, the tapestry was said to be done by Anglo Saxon artists and made in England.

The tapestry was rediscovered sometime in the late 17th century in Bayeux where it was being displayed once every year during the Feast of the Relics. Sometime in 1803, it was seized by Napoleon and was transported to Paris. Napoleon wanted to use the Bayeux Tapestry as a source of inspiration for his plans to attack England. But when the invasion plan was canceled, the tapestry was then returned back to Bayeux.

After the tapestry was returned, the townspeople rolled up the tapestry and then stored it like a scroll. It was then seized by the Ahnenerbe where the tapestry then went through World War II in the basement of the Louvre in France. The tapestry is now protected while on display in a museum. It is being stored in a dark room equipped with special lighting and behind sealed glass in order to minimize certain environmental damage that can be caused by light and air.

The Bayeux Tapestry is embroidered in wool yarn on a tabby woven linen ground. Two methods of stitching are used- stem stitch for the lettering and figure outlines and couching for filling the figures. The main yarn colors used are terracotta, dull gold, blue green, olive green and blue. There is also a bit of dark blue, black and sage green used on some portions of the tapestry.

What makes the Bayeux Tapestry so interesting is that, this artwork contains some mysterious entries or figures that seem to go against accepted beliefs. But this may be due to the political propaganda and distorted views that seem to be displayed on some of the portions of the tapestry.

Notwithstanding the mysteries and the controversies, the Bayeux Tapestry is truly considered as a wonderful work of art.

Most tapestries came from Europe and when people decided to move to the New World, they brought along with them a few pieces until the immigrants decided to make their own version which is now known as American tapestry.

American tapestry is very similar to Renaissance designs because it depicts reality but in an American setting. You are sure to find one in every American home you visit even if the family was rich or poor.

Because the industrial revolution did not take shape yet, people were still doing this by hand. Phase one involved creating a detailed drawing. When this was completed, production begins by a process known as warping.

Here, you basically prepare all the materials so in phase 3; the workers will now weave bringing the design to life. The last thing that is done is the finished state where borders are placed on the sides similar to a frame placed to hold a painting. A cotton fabric and rod pocket is then placed so the tapestry can be hung on the wall.

In the years that followed, American tapestry just like the other designs was not used to hang on walls. Some were used as rugs or throws. You already had a choice where to put it as long as this matches with the overall surroundings.

There are even a few tapestry designed bags, handbags, pillows, curtains, bed sheets and blankets now available in the market.

Most of the American tapestry that is produced these days is imported from Belgium or China. They come in different designs and these are normally sold by the yard. The price range of American tapestry could be from under $10 to a little over $30 so you just have to look at various stores in the neighborhood and also online.

American tapestry compared to Medieval, Renaissance, floral or Verdure are very affordable. This is perhaps because it does not capture anything magical or spiritual that the owner can relate to. What it can do however is add life to the home and that is the most important thing you have to ask yourself when you go looking for the right tapestry.

The smallest American tapestry you can find measures 13 by 18 inches while a poster version will measure about 27 to 36 inches. But if you are trying to fill a large wall in the room, you better get something that is as big as a banner. This really depends on the size of your home.

So you don’t have a hard time, it is best to being color samples when you visit the store. Don’t be afraid to spend a little more because cheap ones will bring down the quality of your home. If possible, see if there are some American tapestries made by hand because these are better than those made by a machine. It is also more durable even if it does not require a lot of maintenance to keep it clean and in good condition.

American tapestries are not created on a whim because it has a meaning just like a painting. What it means to the artist may be different to you but as long as there is something there that strikes you, then that is the right one you should get and display in your home.

There is a certain art in making tapestries. And in so doing there are various techniques involved in the creation of this unique work of art. To some, a tapestry may just be some piece of textile. But for the trained eye, every tapestry involves many types of creativity and imagination while it is being made. It has a certain artistry truly unique in its own art form. With this in mind, a tapestry becomes no more an ordinary commodity but a special form of artistic creation.

There are many ways in which a tapestry can be made. There are certain techniques involved in manipulating threads and color and combine them to produce quite interesting images and patterns that make them really unique. And making tapestries not only involves using the imagination and creativity but also a higher level of skill working with the material, which is textile.

There are many techniques involved in the creation of tapestries and rugs. The most notable of this is how the threads that make up the whole tapestry is placed and woven together. The techniques usually vary from where the tapestry is being made or where it originally came from.

There are some forms of tapestries that are made using a flat woven technique. Some of these techniques include brocading and embroidery. Tapestries coming from Turkey as well as some Caucasian and Turkish influenced British creations make use of the technique using what is called the Turkish knot. This is also known as the ghiordes or the symmetrical knot.

There is also another technique called the Persian knot which is typical of tapestries found in Central Asian, Indian and even Chinese tapestries. This technique produces more knots per square inch compared to the Turkish knot, thereby providing more detail and a more defined pattern. This is also known as the sameh or the asymmetric knot technique.

There is also a technique called the Spanish knot that employs the use of knots looped around single alternate warps. This enables the horizontal and vertical lines of the tapestry to become slightly rough and the diagonals smooth. This technique is usually employed in the production of Spanish carpets.

There is also another ancient technique called the Jufti knot in the production of older tapestries. This technique involves covering four warp threads in order to make a coarse weave. Rugs of this sort are usually found in 19th century and 20th Century Eastern Iran.

In choosing good tapestries, having some idea on the techniques involved in the making of such textile works of art would help give a collector the valuable knowledge of knowing the origins of a certain valuable tapestry. And in collecting such decorative tapestries also involves taking very good care of them, especially the more valuable and older types of textiles.

Carefully hanging these valuable artistic tapestries is also important to make sure that they are not damaged in the process. And since quite a number may have a weighty issue especially for those that are larger and thicker, special means of hanging them would be required.

Using simple nails can sometimes be inadequate for such magnificent tapestries hung on walls.