Monday, January 26, 2009

Wall Tapestries Make Classic Wall Decor

By Stacy Mar

Hanging tapestries on the castle walls helped dramatically in insulation from the long cold winters. Of course, the decoration was an amazing bonus to keeping out the cold. As time marched on they were known as a sign of nobility. Kings had tapestries made with their insignia, emblems, or coat of arms over or behind their thrones. This was the symbol for authority.

Tapestries were used as early as the Hellenistic period, this art of weaving only reached a new level during the 14th century in Europe, specifically in France, Switzerland, and Germany. Two centuries later, Flanders became Europe's center for tapestry production.

The artist William Morris and his company, together with designer Edward Burne-Jones, began creating tapestries in the Medieval styles in the 1800's and 19th century. Morris & Burne-Jones have created scores of important tapestries. Many of these designs are still being replicated today.

These European tapestries are popular in highlighting important times in history and in the arts and literature. The Bayeux Tapestry is a popular French tapestry, which illustrates the The Battle of Hastings in 1066. This was when Normandy invaded England. This tapestry depicts the events leading up to the invasion and the battle itself, during the Norman period of Europe.

"The Hunt of the Unicorn", which is a seven-part woven work of art about the hunt to capture the powers yielded by the horn of the unicorn. "The Lady and the Unicorn", is another popular work, depicting the five human senses and adds the sixth sense of love or more commonly known as desire.

Among the popular works of Morris include several tapestry pieces on the Arthurian legend, a stable in their European workshop. Perhaps the most noted is his work on the Holy Grail, a tapestry series depicting the Knights of the Round Table's quest for the chalice supposedly used by Jesus Christ and was brought to Europe by Joseph of Arimethea.

Because of its rich history, European tapestries are popular around the world today. Because of the efforts of Morris and other European tapestry weavers, mass reproduction of these tapestry masterpieces is now possible. There are also tapestry replicas of various European artworks.

A great way to decorate one's home is to find the high quality replicas of European tapestry masterpieces. The trusted source of Decor4u and other fine online shops on the internet can make quick work out of an endless search around the world to own one of these artistic masterpieces. Owning a piece of history is like having a European tapestry hanging in your home. - 20896

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