The art of tapestry

Tapestries are an essential element of the decorative art; nothing is more brilliant, more magic than these "pieces of fabric", so qualified by the encyclopedists, being used to cover the walls.

The term "tapestry" can thus be given to any fabric used to cover the walls of a house.

However it is advisable, here, to dissociate the fabric whose drawing is only formed of the repetition of the same motive and coming from the work of the weaver, from the tapestries woven on looms of low heddle and high heddle by weavers according to painted cartoons; these cartoons representing, either great military events, or telling the life of the saints and mystical legends of the faith of the first ages, details of architecture and costume, the picture of the intimate life of each century.

The transposition of the painted cardboard into woven work shows all the skill and personality of the weaver, artist and craftsman at the same time.

Considered now only as an element of decoration, the tapestry was in the past an element of comfort protecting from the cold and being used as covering to large surfaces as well in the royal, princely residences as in the churches and religious buildings.

The great achievements in tapestry in the world and over the centuries have made this noble industry, a major art.

Such as this declaration bearing the signature of Louis XIV: "the manufacture of tapestry always appeared of such a great use and a utility so considerable that the most abundant states perpetually cultivated the establishments of it and attracted in their country, the most skilful workmen, by the graces which they made to them".

Tapestries are an essential element of the decorative art; nothing is more brilliant, more magic than these "pieces of fabric", so qualified by the encyclopedists, being used to cover the walls.

The term "tapestry" can thus be given to any fabric used to cover the walls of a house.