The Tapestry House

05/23/2025

The Tree of Life tapestry was designed by Morris & Co in the late 19th century. The tapestry design has an intricate pattern of leaves and branches stemming from the central element, a common motif in many of Morris's works. The ornate and heavily detailed background in this tree of life wall tapestry was inspired by the Medieval decorative technique known as Mille Fleurs.

05/23/2025

"Acanthus and Vine" tapestry, originally designed and woven by William Morris in 1879. This was his first attempt at tapestry-making and he used a loom installed in his bedroom at Kelmscott House to teach himself the craft. Today it is is woven in France by Jules Pansu and features birds and swirling acanthus leaves.

03/06/2025

In 1740, Louis XV's ambassador to Rome commissioned Giovanni Paolo Pannini to create this painting. It is also called the Gallery of Views of Ancient Rome and the original painting can now be found in the Louvre museum in Paris. This tapestry is finely woven in Italy in 80% cotton and 20% viscose/polyester fibers.

01/23/2025

The Birds tapestry by William Morris, the well-known artist from England. He played a significant role in the late 19th-century resurgence of the ornamental arts.

11/01/2023

07/06/2023

The Birds tapestry (Les Oiseaux tapestry) is surely one of the most pleasing of all William Morris tapestries. This fine quality French wall tapestry is woven by Jules Pansu and is lined and has a rod pocket for easy hanging. We supply instructions for the care and hanging of tapestries with each order.

10/03/2022

Ancient Art Tapestries

The Lascaux cave paintings in Ancient Art Tapestries. We were enjoying a wonderful conversation about travels in France which side-tracked via the Loire Valley chateaux to the delightful Dordogne Valley, where in 1940 stunning cave paintings were found - see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lascaux. Although you can only view replicas in a recreated cave system at Font-de-Gaume (you have to book in advance), seeing the cave paintings in real life would be somewhat magical, almost surreal, as one tries to grasp their history and the lifestyles of their creators.

What is really surprising about these ancient images is that they can be so effective in a contemporary setting (see photo) in spite of thousands of years difference in time. In fact, tapestry weaving is itself an ancient craft. In the History of Tapestries in the "Learn" section of our website we mention their role in the cultures of the Incas, the ancient Egyptians and the classical Greeks. A tapestry loom is even depicted inside one of the pyramids. So perhaps you can think "old" when thinking "new" for your home decor!

09/29/2022

This short video demonstrates two beautiful woven tapestries as they are hanging on the walls of one of our customer's wonderful home. "The Banquet" tapestry shows the engagement banquet of Louis XII of France and Anne of Brittany at the Castle of Nantes on 7th January 1499. The original tapestry was woven in Tournoi in about 1510. While "The Vintage" tapestry is a late 15th century French tapestry now at the Cluny Museum, Paris. We see the workers harvesting and pressing the grapes and the lords and ladies inspecting and sampling the wine.

09/27/2022

Contemporary tapestry wallhangings are very much in vogue these days. When we started selling tapestries over 25 years ago the selection was definitely historical in choice such as medieval, Louis XIV, William Morris and the like. However, it was inevitable that this would change regardless of decor fashion. Today there are only a limited number of old world tapestries which are worthy of reproduction.

So, to continue introducing new designs for the marketplace, the weavers had to look to recent or contemporary designs. Examples include Bob Pejman art and Simon Bull watercolours (below).

The classics will remain, like the Lady with the Unicorn series and William Morris's timeless Arts and Crafts designs. We'll have to wait and see whether contemporary designs also stand the test of time.