The allure of historical wall tapestries
 Since
antiquity people have used textiles for all range of purposes. From blankets
for warmth, to elaborate woven fabrics for commerce, they have been at the very
center of human life.
The
need for textiles, combined with our desire to enhance the world around us, has
given rise to a huge range of fabric based art, everything from basic colored
cloth to complex woven textiles. Tapestries and wall
hangings have long been one of the most accomplished forms of this
art, having a history dating back millennia, and artists from almost all
cultures have contributed some form of textile wall art.
Recently
tapestries and wall hangings have enjoyed a rise in interest, with many people
looking beyond traditional options for wall decor. The tactile nature of
tapestries, combined with their rich history, has made them once again a choice
for the well-informed home improver.
Traditional
tapestry designs
Although
there is an increasing amount of contemporary art available as tapestries, it
is the traditional designs from the past that are the most popular. Since
tapestries have enjoyed a long history these can include anything from Gothic
wall hangings, to French Baroque and Rococo works from the 17th and 18th
centuries, to more recent 19th century William Morris and Pre-Raphaelite art.
The
main appeal of these impressive works is their connection with history. The
range of designs and themes is vast and include subject matter as diverse as
the rise and fall of nations, the importance of art movements at different
times, and the prominence of individual artists and groups. Most appealing is
that each has its own claim to history. This combination of artistic excellence
and history writ large is proving irresistible to many art lovers who yearn for
more depth in their home decor choices.
There
are many famous tapestries from the past. In particular the Middle Ages took
wall tapestries from the domain of practical decor into the realms of art.
Boasting famous works like the Bayeux Tapestry and the Lady and the Unicorn
series, the Medieval era is seen by many as the golden age of tapestry art.
More importantly for the first time we see tapestry wall hangings widely
appreciated as works of art, rather than just practical pieces of home
furnishing.
A
growing popularity
Reproductions
of these famous works are proving very popular with modern audiences. Given the
historical importance of these works of art some of the current productions
available are fastidious copies of the originals. The very best of these
capture the drama and virtuosity of historical art, perfectly blending it with
modern weaving methods. The end result is often very faithful to the original
artists' vision, with all the durability and appeal of modern fabrics.
From
the vivid colors of Medieval tapestries, to the exoticism of Eastern schools of
weaving, traditional tapestry designs often surprise modern art lovers with
their attention to detail, their ability to capture emotion and their
exploration of timeless themes such as love and romance.
An
enduring allure
Because
of this these centuries-old designs are enjoying a renewed prominence and are
once again making their way into the homes of taste conscious art lovers. Every
tapestry, because of the individuality of the weaving process, is a unique work
of art unlike any other. In a world driven by mass production art and home
decor enthusiasts are drawn to the uniqueness of wall tapestries as an antidote
to the monotony of many other décor options.
Now,
despite their ancient origins, many people are again looking towards historical tapestries and
wall hangings as an answer to their modern home decor aspirations.
With an ever growing range of options for shoppers the choice has never been
better.
Copyright © The Tapestry House, all rights reserved.
Godfrey
Bazalgette writes extensively on art, history, tapestries and textiles. He is
one of the founding partners of
The Tapestry
House purveyors of fine quality tapestries & wall hangings.
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