Tapestry

A tapestry is a woven rug-like item used to adorn walls. Tapestries can range greatly in size and complexity. Traveling nobility often carried tapestries with them from place to place since they were an easily-transporable way to quickly and dramatically alter the look and feel of an entire room.

The tradition of tapestry weaving is said to have originated from humble and practical beginnings: the need to keep an interior space warm during the winters. Hanging rugs or wall coverings acted as removable insulation to protect inhabitants of a home from the cold stone or brick walls. In the warm months, the wall hangings could be removed. A once practical art evolved into the luxirious art of tapestry weaving.

In period, many tapestry designs were drawn up by artists (mainly painters) of the time and then executed by the tapestry weavers.