Tapestry weaving is an old and honoured skill, which produces textiles of unsurpassed richness and decorative power. The great flowering of tapestry in the Middle Ages has left an extraordinary legacy of mysterious motifs and bright images. During the Renaissance the rising status of the artist meant that tapestries became, and were to remain, woven pictures based on artists' cartoons, the most famous of which are those by Raphael. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries vast numbers of tapestries were produced not only for royalty and the nobility but, increasingly, for the expanding merchant classes.
In this beautifully presented book, Barty Phillips charts the history of this precious textile from some of the oldest cultures to the present day through a lively text and mass of illustrations, which reveal the texture, vivid colour and beauty of tapestry. She discusses tribal weaving such as ancient Peruvian work, the ubiquitous kilim, the Indian dhurrie and Navaho rug as well as the European tapestry tradition. A highlight of the book is the chapter devoted to a selection of the most interesting examples of contemporary tapestry; this acts as a source of ideas to inspire all those who collect tapestry; or who commission works either as part of commercial interior design schemes or for use in their own homes.
This book also features practical advice on where to see tapestry, where to buy old and new work, and how to commission new pieces. This is supported by indispensable guidelines on the maintenance and repair of tapestry.
Above all, this magnificent book is a showcase for works of art that glow with vibrant colour and intricate design, that evoke history and heritage, and give constant delight.
Includes colour illustrations.
