The Transformative Power of Tapestries

 Courtesy of House Beautiful. Photo: Thomas Loof. Interior Design: Elizabeth Tyler Kennedy
A tapestry adds color and texture to an otherwise neutral room.

The most recent edition of House Beautiful got me thinking about tapestries. Few other decorative objects have the capacity to singularly transform a room. These woven hangings also have this magical ability to transcend time periods, so that they look as stunning in a Baroque castle as they do in a modern penthouse. 

Interior: Martyn Lawrence-Bullard, photo: Tim Street-Porter, courtesy of Elle Decor.

In fact, it is precisely the tapestry's adaptability that first led to its popularity. Though tapestries have been around since the Hellenistic period, they experienced a resurgence in 15th century Europe. Royals liked to roll up their favorite tapestries and transport them between residences. Churches devoted various tapestries to different saints, putting them up and taking them down according to the calendar. But besides adding color and texture, for centuries tapestries served another key purpose:  the large weavings, particularly those made of wool, served as a welcome layer of insulation--an important feature, no doubt, in an unheated stone building.

One of the seven tapestries comprising The Hunt of the Unicorn, courtesy of the Cloisters Museum in New York.

When when it comes to tapestries, quality runs the gamut. The key is to look for handwoven versions from France, Belgium or England, comprised of either silk or wool woven on either cotton or linen. Machine made tapestries just don't have the same subtle color variations. Size and condition will affect the estimate, obviously, but, as with rugs, the real factor is the artistry. Some tapestries take your breath away, while others will look generic--even if they are hand done. I am particularly partial to verdure tapestries, so called because they tend to feature foliage and vegetation done in various shades of green. Needlepoint tapestries can be lovely as well, but the name is a bit of a misnomer because they aren't woven on a loom.

designer: Suzanne Rheinstein, photo: Pieter Estersohn, courtesy of Elle Decor

The tapestry's adaptability is evident in another way as well: it is a decorative form that can work in just about any sort of room, from bedroom to front hall. Designers love them, and examples can be spotted throughout the major shelter magazines.

Courtesy of House Beautiful, photo:John Kernick
Susan Zises Green used colors taken from this tapestry throughout the dining room

A stunning 8' x 7' 18th c. French tapestry, at auction in Florida on November 1st, estimate $4,000-6,000.

Lauren King recently used a tapestry in the screening room of her Hollywood home. (Not that this looks like any screening room I've ever seen!) The tapestry hides the screen and can be raised and lowered.

Lauren King's L.A. screening room, courtesy of Architectural Digest.

Because they were originally made there, Europe remains the best place to look for tapestries. Christie's now has an in-house shipping department that can give you international shipping estimates before you bid. An upcoming London sale has several beautiful tapestries, one of which is below.

A simply stunning wool pictorial tapestry. At Christie's London on Nov 1st, estimate ~$3,200-4,800.

When you consider the amount of labor that went into these beauties, the auction estimates are incredibly reasonable, I think, especially since tapestries are often used in lieu of a grouping of oil paintings. Moreover, hang a tapestry and you probably won' t need an expensive Persian rug: a sisal or similar will look cleaner and more modern.

courtesy of Bunny Williams

If estimates for large tapestries exceed your budget, consider looking for well worn ones or fragments. These can be used in a variety of interesting ways. Transforming them into pillows is the most common adaptation. They can also be used to cover furniture. David Easton, for instance, used a tapestry fragment in the center of a suede ottoman, transforming it from bland to beautiful.

Courtesy of Timeless Elegance: The Houses of David Easton.

19th c handwoven tapestry, 58" x 89", at Eldred's in East Dennis, MA on November 5th, estimate $200-300.

   I highly doubt this tapestry is old. It is, however, put to an unconventional use...

King size tapestry headboard, at auction in Tennessee on October 29th, estimate $1,500-2,500.

 

A Flemish verdure tapestry fragment, at Christie's London on November 16th, estimate ~ $2,400-4,000.

photo: William Waldron, interior design: Suzanne Kasler, courtesy of Elle Decor.

I close with one more famous tapestry, the "Boar and Bear Hunt," part of the Devonshire Hunting tapestries (Flemish, mid-15th century, at the Victoria & Albert museum, London). Happy hunting to you as well--auction hunting, that is!