No.26

LOOKING AT TAPESTRIES

The following introduction is taken from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

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TAPESTRY is a form of textile art, woven on a vertical loom. It is composed of two sets of interlaced threads, those running parallel to the length (called the warp) and those parallel to the width (called the weft); the warp threads are set up under tension on a loom, and the weft thread is passed back and forth across part or all of the warps. Tapestry is weft-faced weaving, in which all the warp threads are hidden in the completed work, unlike cloth weaving where both the warp and the weft threads may be visible. In tapestry weaving, weft yarns are typically discontinuous; the artisan interlaces each coloured weft back and forth in its own small pattern area. It is a plain weft-faced weave having weft threads of different colours worked over portions of the warp to form the design.
Most weavers use a naturally based warp thread such as linen or cotton. The weft threads are usually wool or cotton, but may include silk, gold, silver, or other alternatives.

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From the many examples available on the internet,
I've selected just a few. Click on the images to enlarge.

Unicorn in Captivity - 15th Century

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Queen Semiramis with her Servants - 15th Century

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Love Tapestry Basel - 15th Century

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The Winged Deer - 15th Century

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Charlemagne - 15th Century

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Wild Woman with Unicorn - 16th Century

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The Triumph of Death or The Three Fates - 16th Century

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Madonna and Child with Saints Barbara and Catherine of Alexandria - 17th Century

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