AUTHOR: Cyril Bladier TITLE: Beautify Your Home or Office with a Unique Hanging Tapestry DATE: 5:50:00 PM ----- BODY:

Are you looking for a unique item to complement your décor? Tired of the same old ordinary framed prints and paintings? Whether it's a small or large wall you wish to embellish, there's a hanging tapestry to fit just about every shape and space you want to decorate— portrait, landscape, square, panoramic, or slim.
Did you know that wall tapestries have been woven for hundreds of years in diverse cultures? They were not always hung, though. For example, both ancient Egyptians and the Incas buried their dead in tapestry woven clothing. It was the French weavers who brought economic value, not just beauty, to this art form. In the 13th and 14th centuries, the Church recognized the value of tapestries in illustrating Bible stories to its illiterate congregations. A hanging wall tapestry also became a status symbol to the aristocracy during the Middle Ages. Plus, a wall tapestry was very practical— providing insulation for castle walls, covering openings, and giving privacy around beds. Kings and nobles took them on their travels from castle to castle for reasons of comfort and prestige.

It is estimated that 15,000 people were employed in the tapestry craft when it began. Many passed their skills from father to son. Medieval weavers extracted their dyes from plants and insects, producing about 20 different colors. Red, probably the most utilized color, came from poppies or pomegranates. Weavers used sketches, which they freely adapted with imagination and sometimes humor. The most popular medieval images were Biblical stories, myths, allegories (the ever-popular unicorn represented purity), and contemporary scenes of peasants working, nobles hunting, and victorious battle scenes.

 In 1663, during the lavish rule of Louis XIV, a tapestry factory was founded in Paris and employed over 800 artisans— by and large to make tapestries for the royal court that incorporated valuable gold and silver threads. Other European countries followed, opening factories on behalf of their rulers. In 1804, the Jacquard mechanical loom was invented which fed colored yarns to the shuttle. It enabled tapestries to become accessible to a wider market and it still forms the basis of tapestry-making techniques used today. By the late 1800s, about 14,000 color tones were available.

Today, few tapestries are hand-woven. Most are reproductions of the originals that are on display in museums. Fortunately, there's no problem finding a tapestry to complement any décor; they're available in just about every style you can think of— botanicals, animals, scenics, abstracts, music, food, beverages— and in any size and shape to fit your space.  You cannot go wrong with a wall tapestry—you’re sure to find the perfect mix of mood and color for your home or office.

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