History of Tapestries

             they imported tapestry hangings from Egypt, Persia, Babylon, and India. .
             In Medieval Times, Tapestries were one of the most important forms of artistic expressions. They were commissioned to depict religious scenes. Cathedrals and large churches hung them to illustrate bible stories for their illiterate .
             congregations. King and Nobles used them for decoration, covering openings, .
             and acting like canopies for beds. .
             Production was centered in Paris until the Hundred Years War (1337-1453); caused the weavers to flee north to Arras and Flanders, now Belgium and Northern France. The oldest surviving set of medieval tapestries is the Apocalypse of Angers, made in 1379 from a Parisian weaver. The seven hangings were each 16.5 feet high, and up to 80 feet long. Another example of these great known works is .
             Lady with the Unicorn, which was produced towards the end of the fifteenth century, in the Loire Vally. Approximately 15,000 people were employed in the manufacturing of these charming scenes of lords, ladies, and peasants set in a background of local flowers. Painter's made the designs, and weaver's extracted the dyes, mostly from plants, up to 12 colors, then dyed the thread, and only then started weaving these masterpieces. A skilled weaver took two months to complete just one square foot, working with English or Picardy wool, Italian silk, and silver and gold thread. The skills of a weaver were often passed from father to son.
             In 1660, the French had the greatest and most influential royal factories employing over 800 artists and weavers, producing tapestries solely for King Louis XIV. At his death an inventory of the Kings furniture contained no less than 2,155 Goblein tapestries. During the French Revolution, many tapestries were burned for their gold and silver threads. By the mid seventeenth century the political and cultural climate affected the tapestry weaving industry, and in 1665 an ancient tapestry workshop at Aubusson was granted a royal charter to produce coarser, and cheaper commercial wall-hangings for the modest homes of those other than the rich and famous.