Tapestries

The thick, ornate beauty of tapestries has graced walls for centuries. From the grandiose hallways of European royalty to the colorful Sultan's palace, they were once considered the hallmark of fine living. And, they're still a decorating tradition, even with our modern lifestyles and homes.

Tapestries are basically wall rugs, made with many of the same techniques that produce the finest silk rugs. They were originally woven by hand, on a loom or with knotting and weaving techniques by artists who could produce the detail of fine paintings using fabric as a medium. They were highly ornate, with rich colors and artistic embellishments, sometimes more illustrative than the even busiest Persian rug.

These works of art bloomed in popularity during the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries, with many of the world's finest works produced in France, England, and Italy during that creative span. Frequent subjects were lush pastorals, romantic couples, gods and goddesses, mystical animals, elephants and Orientals, birds, flowers, and famous rulers.

Some of the finest of the "rug paintings" are currently hanging in the Louvre and other famous galleries, still intact after many centuries thanks to the dense, expert quality of the craft.

If you're looking for a stylish way to express yourself and your home's grandeur, the tapestry can do it all. There's good reason they've been prized by royalty for their exquisite beauty and timeless fashion.

Regal tapestries are at home on today's walls, whether your home is an elegant mansion, a country cottage or a work in progress.

Most of the ones available today are machine-woven to exacting standards, improving upon the slow process of hand-working.

With increased flexibility and strength thanks to modern improvements, the range of designs is now even broader than ever before!

The most popular type of modern wall hanging is the retro art design; drawing upon traditional tapestries and their motifs, or reproducing authentic historical tapestries down to the last thread.

Famous originals like the 17th century French painting, "The Sacrifice to Cybele," or the antiquated Emperor Maximilein (from 1499) are reproduced with a smooth, elegant finish that's as gorgeous as the original. Adorn your walls with scenes from art history as if you were showcasing the prized originals.

You can enjoy an Aubusson Oriental elephant, or noble English Coats of Arms as if your living space was a devoted museum. The art retro designs reproduce the same rich colors, in startling exactness. Bordeaux, gold, deep burgundy, baby blue, crimson, beige, and rose pink look lovely with any décor and add a certain sense of establishment to even the most humble of rooms.

Today, they're crafted from a variety of materials, with synthetics and synthetic blends being the most popular. Acrylic, olefin, nylon, viscose, and similar materials are prized for their strength and durability. They can be cleaned easily and should hold up better than their ancient counterparts, a sure-fire bet for longtime decorative value.

Wool and cotton are also popular materials, as are blends of natural and synthetic materials. The benefit of modern technology is that we can quickly produce fantastic, inspiring tapestries that have superb strength and true-to-life colors.

Displaying you treasure is easily accomplished by using a tapestry rod or curtain rod. Some home decorators also use them as bed covers or even as rugs (though they should not be used in high traffic areas due to their thinner construction).

Whatever your sense of style or decorative preferences, you'll be "wowed" by the lush choices and vivid design possibilities.

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