Tapestry Basics

Tapestry is art. It can be considered as it is a unique form of art. To put it simply, Tapestry making is an art made out of textile. It is quite different from your typical ordinary rug, Tapestries are textiles woven by hand using a special type of loom. A tapestry is specially woven and depicts a colorful pattern or image with the warp threads, the horizontal ones, are usually hidden. This allows the tapestry to have a smoother surface. This makes it different from other types of conventional cloth weaving where the warp and weft threads of the textile are usually visible.

A decorative tapestry is usually woven and created with a decorative function in mind. They aim to make the any vacant space look better and brighter than it usually is. Its function can also be considered as a valuable painting that adorns a room, worthy of one’s appreciation. It adds a certain level of elegance and style to any room that also a tapestry might be able to do.

There is a long history behind the art of tapestry making. Its early origin dates back during the Hellenistic times where it was already being used to decorate homes of nobility during ancient times. There have been samples of Greek tapestry, very well preserved and found in parts of the Tarim Basin which dates back as early as 3rd Century BC.

The art of tapestry eventually spread to other parts of Europe. The art became popular in region sometime during 14th Century AD where it enjoyed a surge in production because of increasing demand popularity among the ancient elite. The spread started from Germany and Switzerland and then eventually reached France and the Netherlands as the demand for this form of textile art became even more popular.

The popularity of tapestry as an accepted artwork grew mainly due to its function as well as the potential of it becoming quite a piece of art. Tapestry artwork uniquely combines both its use as a common commodity dressed elegantly in art to be appreciated. But the rapid popularity of tapestry art may also have grown from the convenience that it provides for people, especially from the wealthy set during ancient times who travel a lot.

Many of those who belong to the wealthy and nobility during the ancient times usually wanted to bring along their type of lavish lifestyle along with them even during their travels. This includes a show of their wealth everywhere they go. And when it comes to ringing artwork along with them, paintings seem to pose a challenge in terms of transport. Utmost care has to be followed to make sure that valuable paintings are well protected.

With the development of tapestry, the wealthy and the nobility of ancient times found a way of bringing artwork with them with their travels without having to worry about their upkeep and care. Most tapestry can easily just be rolled up and store appropriately in a safe place, making it even more convenient.

And it may also because of this fact that the popularity of tapestry considered as art considerably increased and the industry flourished.