Tapestry is an ancient form of textile weaving which has its roots in the Middle East, Europe, and Scandanavia. From intricate scenes of battle, court life and mythological figures, tapestries can tell stories of great historical events, imparting the values and culture of the period. Tapestries have been made from materials like wool, linen and silk, creating unique works of art. Over the centuries, a number of famous historical tapestries have been made and remain iconic symbols of our past.
What is Tapestry?
Tapestry is a type of fabric weaving in which a thread or yarn is used to create an image or pattern on a loom. The thread is usually made from wool, linen or silk and then dyed different colors to create a scene or design. Tapestries were historically used to decorate the homes of kings and nobles, as a form of religious and cultural decoration, and to share stories. Tapestry has remained popular throughout the years, with modern versions of the craft continuing to be created today.
History of Tapestry
Tapestry weaving is believed to have originated in the Middle East and Scandinavia, with some of the earliest examples being found in the ancient cities of Mesopotamia. Tapestries were also popular among the Assyrians, Egyptians, and Greeks, with tapestries featuring motifs and figures from Greek mythology and wildlife. Throughout the centuries, tapestry weaving spread throughout Europe, with the French, Italians, and Spanish creating some of the most iconic tapestries of all time.
Types of Tapestry
Tapestries can be divided into two main categories — pictorial tapestries and narrative tapestries. Pictorial tapestries have larger designs which feature a single dominant image and feature stylized details. Narrative tapestries contain a number of different scenes usually depicted in a sequence, and are often used to tell stories.
Top Famous Historical Tapestries
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The Bayeux Tapestry: The Bayeux Tapestry is an embroidered cloth depicting the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England in 1066. The tapestry contains around 57 scenes with Latin tituli, or captions which help to explain the action, and was likely made by Saxon needleworkers. This iconic tapestry has since become a symbol of British history and culture.
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Unicorn in Captivity: The Unicorn in Captivity is a series of six tapestries thought to have been woven in the early 1500s. The six fabrics depict a unicorn in a garden surrounded by a fence, and are believed to illustrate the hunt, capture and eventual release of a unicorn. The motif and design of this tapestry, with its central image and four elements of unity, has been widely used in art and design.
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Lady and the Unicorn: The Lady and the Unicorn is a series of six Flemish tapestries from the late 15th century which depict a woman in the presence of a lion and a unicorn. The meaning of the tapestry is not clear, however some have suggested that it may be an allegory of the senses, with each tapestry depicting a sense, or of the five known continents, with the sixth tapestry representing the Garden of Eden.
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The King’s Hunt Tapestry: The King’s Hunt Tapestry is a 15th-century tapestry depicting various hunting scenes in the Artois region of northern France. It was likely commissioned by Charles the Bold for the occasion of his wedding in 1468 and is the only surviving tapestry based on an existing painting.
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The Hunt of the Unicorn: The Hunt of the Unicorn, also known as The Unicorn Tapestries, is a series of seven tapestries depicting the pursuit of a Unicorn over four weeks in the spring season. The tapestries were woven in Flanders in the early 1500s and were possibly commissioned by an aristocrat or nobleman as a means of expressing his chivalric ideals and religious devotion.
Tapestry weaving has been a craft for centuries, and over that time, a number of famous historical tapestries have been created. These tapestries can tell stories about great historical events and can impart the culture of the period. From the iconic Bayeux Tapestry to the famous Hunt of the Unicorn, these tapestries have become some of the most famous works of art in history.