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!

Lamp Week, Lesson One: Outstanding Opaline

photo:Nathan Schroeder, designer: Craig Schumacher, courtesy of House Beautiful.
A pair of blue Opaline glass lamps are given new life with contemporary shades.

You know how it is. You can go for days, weeks, months without really focusing on something, but once you do, you see it everywhere? Well, that's how I'm feeling about lamps. Yes, that's right, good ol' lamps. I'm rearranging my space and will need a slimmer pair of them. Since my existing ones don't appear to be going on Weight Watchers any time soon, I've been looking around and noticing wonderful, weird, warm welcoming lamps all over the place--so many great pairs, in fact, that, in an Auction Addict first, I am devoting a whole week (or rather, what's left of it) to a single topic. And so, I bring you...ta daa...

LAMP WEEK

A jazzy Markham Roberts designed entryway with a pair of blue Opaline lamps.
Again, note how the updated shades take them from frumpy to fabulous.

The first type of lamps we're going to look at are Opaline glass lamps. I was inspired by the October issue of House Beautiful, specifically page 114 (top photo), where we see how designer Craig Shumacher used a pair of Opaline glass lamps to provide a welcome shot of color in his dining room.

Before we go any further, you might be wondering what Opaline is, exactly. The term technically refers to a style of opaque, colored glass that was produced in France during the 19th century by Baccarat and other less universally known manufacturers. The French were imitating the milky white glassware they saw emanating from Bristol, England and Venice, Italy. Opaline was produced in white, yes, but also yellow, sea green,  pink, and, the interior designer favorite: turquoise blue. The glass has a high lead content but is demi-crystal, not crystal, and is rarely faceted. Opaline was frequently used for vases, bowls. cups and dresser sets. Today, the term is used more broadly to describe almost any opaque, colored glass.

Okay, history lesson over--now on to the good stuff! I mentioned that turquoise Opaline is a favorite of many interior designers. Do you think Markham Roberts has an obsession or anything?

Turquoise Opaline in Markham Roberts designed dining room.

 

...and living room.

 That's okay, I love them too! And fortunately, several lovely examples are up for bidding in the weeks to come. On October 2nd, Leslie Hindman in Chicago has two fantastic pairs, as tall and slender as supermodels.(If you can scoop these up for anything close to the estimate, you should: antique dealers ask $3,000+ a pair for these and up.)

What's your pleasure? Milky white with gilt bronze accents, estimate $800-1200, or brilliant blue, below, estimate $1,500-2,500.

Three Opaline glass lamps, at Stair on Friday, September 23rd, estimate $300-500.

If these aren't the shape you seek, consider the sweet trio at Stair Galleries in Hudson, NY, above, or this butter yellow one, below, at Susanin's in Chicago, which clearly falls into the category of 20th century Opaline glass.

Yellow Opaline glass lamp, at Susanin's in Chicago on September 24th, estimate $100-200.

 For a final bit of inspiration, look how pretty this pink Opaline lamp looks among the sherbert tones in this stunning master bedroom. More lamps to come soon. In the interim, happy bidding everyone!

photo, courtesy of Elle Decor (I'd tell you more, but the photo is no longer up on their site!)