William Morris tapestries
William Morris tapestries: timeless and fresh. A look at Morris & Co tapestry designs. William Morris (1834-1896) was a man of many talents; an artist, writer, social activist and textile designer being among them. In 1856 he established the ‘Oxford and Cambridge Magazine’ in which he published his ideas with regards to craftsmanship and the decorative arts. Later, he would … Continue reading
The Lady and the Unicorn Tapestries
A visit to see The Lady and the Unicorn tapestries in the Cluny Museum is an awe-inspiring experience; an intriguing viewing of tapestries exploring the senses. The Lady and The Unicorn tapestries, “La Dame à la Licorne”, are one of the most accomplished and beautiful series of tapestries in the world. They are considered to be one of the most … Continue reading
Medieval wall tapestries
Medieval wall tapestries – a history starting with the Bayeux Tapestry. Around 500AD, when Rome could no longer contain the fierce Northern European, tribes, the Roman Empire was replaced by much smaller kingdoms. The thousand years which followed are known as the medieval period. Despite the collapse of Rome, the Catholic Church continued to be a powerful institution unifying all … Continue reading
The Unicorn Tapestries
The Unicorn Tapestries are among the most significant medieval tapestries ever created. The Hunt of the Unicorn Tapestries, as they are sometimes called, are a truly awe-inspiring series of medieval tapestry art. It has been long speculated as to why this set of seven Flemish wall tapestries was produced and what are its true meanings. Historical records suggest Anne of … Continue reading
Tapestry weaving and the Jacquard loom
How tapestry weaving and the Jacquard loom combined to revolutionize this ancient art. All of the tapestries available on our website are Jacquard woven. What does this signify? A trip back to the thoroughly revolutionary times in France takes us to the life of Joseph-Marie Jacquard. During the French Revolution large numbers of tapestries were burnt to retrieve the precious … Continue reading
Religious tapestries
Religious tapestries make an intriguing and inspirational addition to any home. They are not only of great interest to Christians but have an aesthetic appeal to art collectors. There is an extensive range to choose from, many being reproductions of some of the finest religious works of art ever produced. They have been woven since the thirteenth century, initially used … Continue reading
Verdure tapestries
A history of tapestry art with descriptions of verdure tapestries available today. Tapestries were produced in Europe from around the twelfth century when, it is believed, the art of weaving was introduced from the East. Some small scale tapestries may have been produced during early medieval times. However, it was towards the end of this period, and throughout the Renaissance, … Continue reading
Sistine Chapel tapestries – Raphael cartoons
The Sistine Chapel Tapestries were produced from cartoons by Raphael and hung for special occasions. Only seven of the ten original cartoons, ie the working drawings, produced by Raphael for the Sistine Chapel tapestries survive today. The Raphael Tapestries, as they have since become known, were created during the High Renaissance, and were commissioned around 1515 by Pope Leo X. … Continue reading
Baroque tapestries
Baroque tapestries include many splendid series of Louis XIV chateaux masterpieces of Louis XIV woven in France, tracing their history back over centuries. Scenery and landscapes have always been highly popular subjects for Tapestry Art. The Romans, Greeks and, later, the rulers of medieval Europe would sometimes commission a tapestry to record great battles and other important events. The famous … Continue reading
Flemish tapestry art
Flemish tapestry art – an historical background study of Flanders tapestries. Flemish tapestry art at the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries meant primarily Brussels tapestry; the city had become the principal centre for tapestry weaving, with a character and technique quite unlike that in other workshops. Novel characteristics there were recognisable in a bias towards painting. Today the … Continue reading