At its most pure, a religious tapestry could refer to a work depicting a specific religion or Christianity as it has done in the varied and rich history of the tapestry through Europe.

But there are more contemporary meanings as well.

So if you want to decorate with religious tapestries, then have a look at these ideas here:

See Religious Tapestries here

1. A Christian tapestry

As we’ve said, some people would immediately think of a Christian wall tapestry depicting Christ, Madonna and Child or the Last Supper or even Noah’s Ark and other Bible stories that you can think of.

These works can be used in a study, a prayer room, a lounge, a hallway or any other room which needs a wall hanging to uplift the space.

There are a variety to choose from, some based on traditional works of art depicting Mary, some more contemporary religious in nature.

2. Tapestries of angels.

These are ever popular for many people, and they are wonderful additions to a room that needs an angelic touch. You can use cherubs or angels in these situations.

Some are based on modern works, while some tapestry wall hangings are based on the high Renaissance artists such as Raphael.

Whichever way, they can make a room feel lighter and more inspired.

3. Modern dramatic religious art

The works of El Greco (1541-1614) is truly unmistakable and shows scenes of Christ in dramatic renditions that demand the attention of art lovers everywhere.

These works can make up the main attraction in a room, while more light pieces can be used in smaller rooms that require smaller tapestries.

As a large tapestry, they make excellent works of art to suit any style of home from traditional to ultra modern. Such is the versatility of such works of tapestry art.

If you have a favorite room or space that you want to create a unique impact, then a large wall tapestry can do this for you.

How?

See Large Tapestry Wall Hangings

A large wall hanging is able to provide:

1. A backdrop effect to your room

What does this mean? It means that the wall hanging will provide a scenic backdrop to give an illusion that you’re actually in that scene. It transports you in space and time to a scene of fantasy, of scenery or of whatever mood you wish to pain that room. The illusionary feel is impressive and makes for an unforgettable experience.

2. A piece of art

If you want a beautiful piece of art, whether it be a modern contemporary tapestry, a floral tapestry, a William Morris tapestry, an old world map tapestry, French tapestry, medieval wall tapestry or any other theme, then a tapestry has an effect that few other art pieces have.

3. To create a specific feel

Do you want a peaceful countryside scene of nature? Do you want romance? Do you want a sense of modernity and striking pieces of art? Then you can have it with the large tapestries of your choice. Because there is so many works to choose from, you can select one that will give your home decor a feel that you’re looking for.

So if you want to achieve an impressive and grand impression, then use a tapestry to create this and you and your family will be enjoying this special space in your home like never before.

These tapestries have been called by some to be the most striking and iconic of all tapestry categories as they reflect the precise look that Morris intended.

There are qualities of a William Morris tapestry wall hanging that captures the imagination and aesthetic wishes of decorators and home owners and art collectors.

The Celtic tapestry of the Celtic cross is a particular one that is very evocative:

See William Morris Tapestries here

Which are these? They are:

1. An epic feel of Medieval times

Much of William Morris’s subject matter from his works in the Victorian age with Morris and Co and Edward Burne-Jones are of medieval key figures and people from mythology.

These figures are set in a design that reflects an iconic view of the medieval and other times that they hail from and as a result, they offer a feel and look that absorbs our imagination.

The look is crafted in such a way that speaks volumes about the times and themes that they depict in the images themselves.

2. A sense of elaborate movement

The clever use of acanthus leaves, foliage and other natural elenments create a sense of dynamic movement as if the image was alive.

In the Tree of Life tapestry, it creates a shimmering, moving effect and in the Forest, the Orange Tree, the Peacock, and series involving Arthur and the Round Table, the Holy Grail, Departure of the Knights and even the Adoration of the Magi images, there is a feeling of movement created from the interweaving of these elements with each other.

3. A look that transforms a home into a castle

In keeping with the above qualities, a William Morris wall hanging gives a look which can create a feeling that you’re living in a castle.

This is superb on its own accord as it transports you in time and place, and especially if you have other decor that reflects a medieval or palatial life.

It can make you feel as if you are walking along castle corridors and rooms in your very own home.

As a so called founder of the arts and crafts movement in Europe and Britain, his works have wide appeal.

So have a look at some William Morris tapestry works and choose one that appeals to you.

There is a variety of topics, themes and effects they create, and can suit a large room, dining room, hallway, study, home office and other rooms.

Well, you’re right!

A beautiful tapestry in a large size makes an impression that is wonderful, beautiful and evocative.

The reason is that a tapestry wall hanging is a piece of art that stirs the imagination and senses and makes you and your family and friends feel a sense of fantasy and adventure.

How is this possible?

See Large Tapestry Wall Hangings

There are various ways:

1. Large wall tapestries can be in the theme of landscape and flora, which evoke a sense of your room or home being transported into a place far away, as if in a fantasy land where you feel you can almost step into the scene that is in the tapestry itself. This technique of a backdrop of landscape background to the scene in the lounge, dining, hall or any room is very effective and is an illusionary effect which many guests wonder about and talk about for ages!

2. As a piece of art to attract the eye. Whether it is a William Morris tapestry, medieval tapestry, antique world map tapestries, or coat of arms (heraldry and royal crest) tapestries or french tapestries it is an item in your home that attracts attention as an art element. As a focal point, the energy of the room is changed and the piece can even add a theme to the room or home based on its subject matter. Even if you don’t have a theme in your entire home, an interesting theme in a room can add a lot of interest in your home and as a results, other items of decor can be added to add to this theme.

3. To create a specific feel. If you are looking for romance, then a romantic French tapestry by Boucher can help create an atmosphere of romanticism and even whimsicality. For brightness and elegance, a large still life or floral work can remind you of Italian flair and beauty. For a refined and relaxed atmosphere a scene of Tuscany in autumn can do this for you. So if a room or home requires a certain feel, then it’s a matter of finding a wall hanging tapestry to match! This is a lot of fun as you look through tapestries and decide which is for you.

A large wall tapestry is gorgeous as home decor, and you can have a lot of fun deciding which one is for you.

So have a look at this range of extra large and large tapestries and see which is for you:

Extra Large Tapestries - 81 inches and above

Large Tapestries - 71-80 inches

Large Tapestries - 60-70 inches

The 6 Celtic nations, as recognised by the Celtic League are  Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Mann, Cornwall and Brittany.

The symbols in Celtic culture however are very distinct and has much beauty and richness in meaning.

The Celtic tapestry of the Celtic cross is a particular one that is very evocative:

See Celtic Tapestry here

This tapestry wall hanging is filled with so much detail that it is an incredible work of art to tantalise the senses.

It’s meaning can be interpreted as the 4 arms of the cross representing the 4 parts of a person: body, mind, heart and soul. It may be a religious reference or may be seen as simply a spiritual reference.

The intricate details are typical of Celtic tapestries and wall hangings and add an air of evocativeness that resembles art from other cultures from around the world. The colors are in harmony with nature with fiery oranges in addition to yellows, greens and burgundy representing the union of the human being with nature.

In addition to this tapestry, the Tree of Life tapestry is another Celtic symbol of life and the interaction between heaven and earth and the place of people among nature and the forces of creation. The tree branches and trunk and roots represent our interaction between heaven and earth in this case.

There are many renditions of this wall hanging, and the William Morris Tree of Life is one which has all the details one would imagine would be in this work.

The view that a tapestry provides is stunning. It creates a presence in the room and provides a focus of art that lifts the room and home. Whether it is for a large room, a hallway, an entrance or a study, a wall hanging will give you these qualities.

From a painting in the Sistine Madonna, this work depicts two cherubs with gorgeous faces that seem to portray innocence and blissfulness at the same time:

See Angels by Raphael tapestry here

Originally a religious work, containing St Sixtus and St Barbara on either side of them, this piece has captured the imagination as has been a calling card so to speak for the great artist Raphael who is one of the big names in the Renaissance period where the golden age of art produced some of the most famous and beautiful pieces of art in history. Why?

It’s because of its stiking appeal to our imaginations and senses as well as its strong link with history.

The original painting was created in 1512-1514 and has pictured Mary and child floating on a bed of clouds, flanked by the 2 saints with the cherubs below.

It is reminisent of the great works of Raphael’s (Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino) contemporaries Michelangelo (8 years older than Raphael) and Da VInci (30 years his senior) with the realism tempered by fantasy and idealism at the same time.

The painting was originally thought to decorate the tomb of Pope Julius II and was situated for a while in St Sixtus convent before its donation by the monk keepers of this work to Augustus III of Saxony who was eventually pronounced King of Poland after his inheritance to the throne.

Raphael lived and worked in Florence and northern Italy before moving to Rome, where he was commissioned by Pope Julius II to create art for Pope’s private library at the Vatican.

The commissions at the Vatican took up much of his time and eventually he had an art workshop of over 50 students who later became prominent artists themselves.

This is a fine art tapestry tht protrays an image that rivals the famous images of the Sistine chapel itself. The Italian renaissance was a springboard of so many paintings and iconic images that inspire us today, and like the many displays in the Metropolitan Museum of Art from this era, they are fine examples of what art was about int he high Renaissance era in Europe in those times.

So if you’re looking for a gorgeous Raphael tapestry, then have a look at:

Angels by Raphael tapestry

and a second version here:

Raphael’s Angels tapestry

With a tapestry wall hanging in the medieval theme, a very evocative effect can be achieved.

Why? Because medieval art reflects on an age in which romanticism and an idealism of life that also brings forth ideas of fantasy as well.

Medieval tapestries are generally in 3 main categories:

1. Unicorn tapestries

2. Medieval tapestries depicting life in the Middle Ages

3. Bayeaux tapestries

The European tapestries depicting the unicorn is inspired by original works created in the Middle Ages and beyond, and include works from the times of Louis XI and from tales and legends from the 1400s.

Life and romanticism in the middle ages and times of Arthurian legends are abound in works such as The Accolade by Pre-Raphaelite, Edmund Blair Leighton (1853 - 1922) where life in the royal households and the lands beyond is depicted with great light and utmost detail:

See Medieval Tapestries

His other works include the Godspeed tapestry.

And the medieval wall hangings from the Bayeaux tapestry include various scenes of the Battle of Hastings in 1066, depicting the Norman Conquest of England through the eyes of this famous wall hanging.

So if you have a room or home with medieval theme or decor, or simply want to include the warmth and feeling of the medieval times in your home in whichever style it is, then a work in this theme can provide visual interest, an epic story to allude to or simply a piece of art which you and your friends and family can admire.

The story of Arthur and the knights of the Round Table can also be seen in tapestry art by William Morris. Morris and Co’s works were in the industrial age, but many of his pieces referred to stories and legends from Medieval periods including the works related to King Arthur, Merlin and the famous knights. See the tapestries of William Morris here.

So for an artistic statement that few other works can compare, get some medieval tapestries to turn your home into a work of art.

For you if you’re wanting a unicorn tapestry, including the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries and the Hunt of the Unicorn tapestries, or even the Unicorn in Captivity, you may be looking for a tapestry because of 3 main reasons:

1. It’s gorgeous appearance

Yes, a mythical creature such as the unicorn is a superb image for evoking the imagination and senses.

See Unicorn Tapestries

If your home is medieval or fantasy themed, or is in any theme but simply in need of a piece of tapestry art that will evoke a sense of the mysterious creature of the unicorn or of legendary tales, then a wonderful piece here will provide the look you’re looking for.

2. The Lady and the Unicorn tapestry series

You may be looking for a replica of the famous Lady and the Unicorn tapestries for your home. These are works which are now in Paris’s Musee National du Moyen-Age Thermes de Cluny. They were one stage at the The Metropolitan Museum of Art. These works are immensely popular as they portray authentic medieval scenes shrouded in mystery and beauty.

The coat of arms of the Le Viste family on the two flags and shields reflect the occasion of their creation which was thought to be to celebrate the appointment of Jean Le Viste to the court of Louis XI. In another theory it was thought that he ordered the six works to portray the beauty of a lady eternally in works of art that would last generations. As medieval tapestries, these six works are now found in homes and castles alike.

In either way, these works portray the 5 senses of touch, smell, vision, hearing and taste as well as a sixth depicting love.

3. The Hunt of the Unicorn

Created as a nuptual gift for Anne of Brittany and Charles VIII in 1491, this work is from a series known as the Hunt of the Unicorn, or “La Chasse de la Licorne”. In a series of works, it was thought that the unicorn represented eternal life, ability to give life and to heal, and even represent the power of healing of Christ. The original is now in The Cloisters Museum in New York City. The unicorn is captured by a hunter in a pen in some scenes and the whole legend and discussion surrounding the meaning and creation of this series of works still intrigues us today. The works were thought to have been created between 1495 and 1505.

So as you can see, the mysteries surrounding these unicorn tapestries are what adds to their interest as wall hanging art and decor for homes.

Whether you want it for their beauty or to portray two legends and stories of the unicorn and the meaning of this mythical creature in the tapestries, you can’t deny the mystery and elegance they add to any room in the home.

Tapestry cushions, be they for seat cushions, lounge cushions, or as pillows, these items will help add delight and beauty to any room or home.

So how do luxury cushions add delight to your home.

Here are 3 ways:

1. Tapestry cushions are a small piece of art, like a small sized tapestry.

These cushions in a lounge room for instance add delight and beauty as they infuse color, design or an illustration into the room.

A tapestry cushion from the Beatrix Potter collection of Peter Rabbit for instance is sheer delight for adults as well as children.

In a children’s bedroom, they are also in its perfect spot to create ambience of fun and liveliness.

See our collection of tapestry cushions and tapestry pillows here.

2. Tapestry pillows are functional.

Pillows and cushions are used for just that purpose. Cushions also offer comfort in a lounge or bed and so are useful as well as provide beauty and color to help decorate a room.

3. Tapestry cushions are a collectors item.

Many people collect items of a certain theme and tapestry cushions as well as tapestries themselves are no exception. If you enjoy Cicely Mary Barker or Beatrix Potter characters such as Peter Rabbit then you can collect items as cushions to match your books and other items in that theme. It is a great way to tie the theme of a room or bedroom together nicely.

The Beatrix Potter tapestry cushions include:

Peter Rabbit

Tom Kitten

Jemima Duck

Miss Tiggy Winkle

Squirrel Nutkin

and more.

If you have tapestries in your home on walls as wall hangings or tapestry throws, then these will match your tapestry cushions as well. Some examples of great tapestries to use are European landscape tapestries, Chenille tapestries, Flanders tapestries, medieval tapestries, romance and myth tapestries of various art eras.

So if you’re looking for furnishing that is great to look at and can be admired by friends and family, then look at these cushions and add color and form to your room or home.

When first woven by William Morris, the design of the Tree of Life which existed as a Celtic version, transformed into a version that had features which William Morris possessed in his other works from the Victorian era.

This tapestry is popular not only because of its beauty, but because of its powerful and sometimes evocative symbolism.

In the traditional interpretation of the 19th century wall hanging by Morris, the Tree of Life tapestry symbolizes the tree in the Garden of Eden bearing the forbidden fruit.

But what does this really mean?

The tree represents knowledge and the bounty that this knowledge brings. But the tree also represents knowledge that in one interpretation is meant for only the deities and thus was not meant for humans. So the story of Adam and Eve eating from the fruit was that of them being banished from the Garden of Eden. The tree in this context represented everlasting life, which has several interpretations including all knowing knowledge, or the conquering of the laws of life and death by the attainment of immortality either physical or spiritual, which implies the ongoing existence of souls in the after life and even reincarnation in future lifetimes.

So this tapestry has a multitude of possible meanings and nuances which can be made to fit the interpreter.

In the Celtic context however, the Tree of Life tapestry is used to symbolise the connection between heaven and earth. The tree reaches into heaven and the roots of the tree go deep into the earth. As such, the connection between the various realms of life are made. The Celts believed in the life force which permeates all living things including the sacred Tree of Life, and that this tree could be a conduit from which messages from their deity can be transmitted.

So whichever way you see it, this tapestry has a multilayered meaning. This tapestry, inspired by Morris & Co depicts flowers and foliage, and renders the foliage in a striking display of form and color, There is, as in many Morris tapestries, a sense of movement as the acanthus shaped leaves seem to move as they interact with each other.

The blues and greens as well as the yellows, apricots and oranges in this piece makes this piece a symbol of joy and abundance, and a celebration of Spring and nature in its own right, in addition to the heavier and more complex meanings of the Tree of Life.

Decor and art which marries home and garden such as a scene of nature and this symbolic tree brings a sense of nature into the home.

Get the Tree of Life Tapestry here and enhance your home with a work inspired by William Morris.