Antique tapestry rugs may be identified as woven paintings and for that reason you do not put them on the floors, but you hang them on the walls. Choosing a tapestry is not only about decorating, but about bringing an aura of history to your home as they deliver the stories from battles, hunting scenes, abundant landscapes, and bits of everyday life.
Tapestry rug is a type of a flat-woven textile that artisans traditionally make by hand on a loom. Antique tapestry rugs are weft-faced with all the warp threads hidden in the completed work. They carry complex figurative designs. These may represent still life, historical events, fauna and flora, people or religious scenes. Warp threads in antique tapestry rugs are usually wool, cotton or linen. Weft threads can be wool or cotton but may include silk, gold, silver and other alternatives.
The History of Tapestry Rugs
The first artists that made tapestry designs took their inspirations from paintings by the most eminent artists of the time. Antique tapestry rugs represented luxury. Elites and aristocracy displayed them in wealthy homes and important buildings.
Also the Ancient Egyptians and Greeks knew the art of tapestry weaving. They sometimes wrapped dead bodies in them before burials. Tapestry rugs have always appeared in the most important places. The ancient Greeks hung them even in the Parthenon.
However, it was the French who mastered the craft. They also produced the finest tapestries in the world. One of the most magnificent achievements of the French craft comes from the 11th century. It is the famous Bayeux Tapestry. It illustrates the events that preluded the Norman conquest of England. In the 13th and 14th centuries, the Church used tapestries to illustrate the stories from the Bible. This way even illiterate people could get to know them.
Tapestry Rugs Today
Nowadays an antique tapestry rug in a room is still a synonym of prestige. Nevertheless, there is no one universal piece of advice on how to choose a perfect one. Each of them is a unique piece of art. However, the moment you buy an antique tapestry, you become the owner of a real masterpiece. It is not an accessory, but the heart of a room. It is equal or even more striking than a painting. So, a tapestry must be properly displayed. Antique tapestry rugs are so rich in details that every time you look at them, you may discover something new. Remember, though, that the authenticity is crucial. When selecting a tapestry, turn to an expert. He or she will analyze the fabric, pigment and design.
