What Is A Tapestry And How Is It Woven
The definition of a tapestry is; a pictured cloth woven by a talented craftsman in which the design is an integral part of the fabric
.
There are 4 key elements that are essential in hand woven tapestries. They are:
the loom, the artist, the weaver and dyer.
Originally weavers wove their own simple designs. Later skilled artists
drew images (similar to paintings) or cartoons (as they are called in the world of
tapestries) for the weavers.
In hand woven tapestries either a high warp loom (haute lisse) or low warp loom (basse lisse) is used. The principal is the same for both weaving techniques.
In the case of a low warp loom, the threads are suspended on a horizontal like table and the weaver sits over top the loom, to weave the tapestry.
In a high warp loom, the threads are suspended vertically above the weaver and fastened above and below on high oak beams. These tapestry vertical threads are known as warp threads. The weaver sits on a chair in front of the tapestry threads and weaves colored threads back and forth on a horizontal plain. These horizontal threads, known as weft threads are what create the picture we see in tapestries. The tapestry pattern and fabric are constructed simultaneously. The tapestry is woven sideways, so the height of the tapestry is determined by the height of the loom, whereas, the width is limited only by the length of the wall it is designated for. The longest known wall hanging tapestry to have been woven was 77 feet long.
The weaver is key to the weaving process. He must interpret the tapestry cartoon, choose the colors that will be most pleasing to the finished product and ensure that there is correct tension in the weave, otherwise you get bubbling, sagging and extreme waving throughout the tapestry.
The dyer is also critical to the tapestry process. Since most
wall hanging tapestries take years to complete, the dyer must ensure that the dye lot of the colored wool is consistent throughout the entire production of the tapestry, otherwise you get colors that incompatible, unpleasant or compromise the integrity of the design. Traditionally, dyers used vegetable dyes: certain colors- green for instance, faded faster than others. That is why in the world of antique tapestries you see a lot of blue tones in the trees. Mixing of the color yellow and blue together results in the color green. Yellow had a tendency to fade first, leaving only the blue. Subsequently, many trees in antique and reproduction tapestries are blue.
In the world of hand woven tapestries at Heirloom European Tapestries, Inc, the dyes used today need to be chemical in order to retain the integrity of the colors and design.
At Heirloom European Tapestries hand woven tapestries are created similar to the antique tapestries. One thread at a time is painstakingly woven by 1-2 weavers sitting at a loom. Some of these hand woven tapestries take months to weave (depending on the size and intricacy of the design). The result of these Heirloom European hand woven tapestries is as exquisite as many of the original antique tapestries. In fact many antique hand woven tapestries on the market today are beyond our financial reach (cost may be upwards of $ 30,000) and many are in bad states of disrepair due to the centuries of handling and abuse. Hand woven tapestries woven for Heirloom European Tapestries today still remains a cottage industry with weavers requiring years in training and experience. Heirloom European Tapestries hand woven tapestries are either created based on old designs or are specially custom hand woven to a customers specification.
Regardless, whether you choose a hand woven tapestry already created based on an old design, or choose of have a custom hand woven tapestry made to your specifications, you can be assured that the result will be exquisite. Their classical nature endures like "music to our eyes!" Whether they're displayed in a traditional setting or with steel, stone and glass, a wall hanging tapestry will add a special touch of grace and grandeur to any space, anywhere, every time.
Copyright Heirloom European Tapestries, Inc.
by: Genny Brown
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