Victorian art and Victorian tapestry production at that time represented a turning point in art in the industrial age.

Before this time was the Georgian period of art, and after the Victorian era was the Edwardian era of art.

See all Victorian tapestries  here by William Morris.

It was a fascinating time, as though the beauty of architecture was trying to emerge through a time when industrialization threatened the arts, the emergence of  William Morris (1834 to 1896) changed the art production in this time.

See Victorian tapestry: European Summer Quince tapestry here

The issue was that Georgian buildings had a period style that was timeless and elegant.

Yes, fine the buildings looked nice…

But what about the decor?

The Victorian and Edwardian style of architecture had an emerging style, yet still stylish and elegant.

The decor however was becoming more industrialized and the designs reflected the artists working to program the machines, as opposed to individually designed pieces.

This was seen as a degradation in art standards by many, including William Morris.

The result was that Morris and Co with John Henry Dearle thought it was their mission to produce decorative furniture, wallpapers, tapestries and other fine art to revolutionse the art in the industrial revolution.

It was a “revolution within a revolution“.

The predominant style in the Victorian age was elaborateness of design.

Bare walls were considered “uninteresting”, and the use of wallpaper increased.

The Gothic and Rococo styles of furniture were the most popular, and represented the past influencing current styling.

There was a mixing pot of influences from both time and place.

Time in terms of the past art movements coming into influence, and place in terms of Asian and exotic influences on art.

In fact the Arts and Crafts movement of Morris, the Art Nouveau style and the Anglo-Japanese style all emerged form the Victorian age.

See Victorian tapestry: William Morris Woodpecker tapestry here

The Art Nouveau movement of art included the tapestry and art works of Alphonse Mucha in his famous Seasons where each season was represented by a woman.

The Arts and Crafts movement represented by William Morris saw the prolific design of tapestries which celebrated nature, mythology and Arthurian legends.

Based in England, one can understand this tendency towards the legends of King Arthur, British flora and fauna and mythology influenced by European societies including the Romans and Greeks.

Think of Old England…

This is why we see thrush birds in strawberry bushes instead of the cherry blossoms in Japanese art.

After all, English culture is not all plain porridge.

There’s a charm, elegance and allure to English art that is irresistible.

William Morris tapestries are considered the quintessential Victorian tapestry.

Victorian era tapestries in the form of William Morris tapestries shows the very distinctive touch of Morris and Co.

The hallmarks of his wall tapestry works as home decor are the use of many characteristic elements.

These include the use of natural motifs including the fantastic acanthus leaf which is beautiful in itself and used to great effect by Morris.

There is also the sense of movement in the piece with the elaborate designs with vines, flowers, leaves and natural elements as the perfect decoration as opposed to geometric designs.

There is a striving for a natural arrangement of subject matter that seems organic and natural yet contains an elusive element of artistry in that some elements are larger than expected and some smaller to create an uncertainly of realism and artistic expression.

Do you see these too?

If you look carefully at the Summer Quince tapestry for example, you see all these hallmarks at work.

See Victorian tapestry: Summer Quince tapestry here

This is where Victorian tapestry art has made a stamp forever in the history of art.

His works were commissioned by private owners including the wealthy and entrepreneurial art lover, W.K. D’Arcy, commissioned the “The Round Table” tapestry for his dining room in Stanmore Hall.

Quirky Mr Morris has created a genre which is named after himself and forms at least a third or some would say more than half of the changes in art in the Victorian era.

So if you’re looking to decorate with Victorian flair, then William Morris is the quintessential Victorian arts and crafts name to turn to.

Today, his works are a unique genre that has people fascinated by the artistry.

It’s distinctive, unique and yet because it is intricately related to nature, is beautiful, in the “Morris way”, that only Morris can achieve.

See Victorian William Morris Tree of Life Brown & Rose tapestry here

Here’s another fantastic testimonial from G and J James who let us know about their medieval themed dining room.

Here’s what they said:

“Hi there!

Yes, we love our tapestries and have attached a photo of them as they are hanging in our dining room with cathedral ceiling.

We think they look great and have the “wow” factor we were looking for for our medieval themed dining room, which is as yet not complete.

G & J James”

Medieval tapestries

Just look at the effect that the tapestries have on the room.

So have a look at our tapestries and choose one you love!

Til next time…

The name, of course is the Gobelins, of the famous Gobelins Manufacture in France, located on 42 Avenue des Gobelins, in Paris.

Many people would turn their nose up or raise their eyes to the ceiling when you mention words such as “Gobelins Manufacture de Paris”, at the sheer name which sounds French, dismissing it mainly because they are unfamiliar with the French language, and as anything that is foreign in sound, they assume is just too foreign to try to comprehend.

Goblins Tapestry Production House in the 18th Century

After all, there’s firstly the proper pronunciation, then there’s the meaning, then they have to find out the history behind why you even mention this name.

Sounds familiar?

However, there are others who relish at the French term and are all eager to find out more…

So what is it about the Gobelins?

The Gobelins Manufacture is a tapestry factory in Paris, who’s origins began way back in the 15th century,

Headed by Jehan Gobelin, the Gobelin family were fabric dyers from Rheims, a city in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France, 80 miles north east of Paris.

He and his family established the dye works business in the Faubourg Saint-Marcel region of Paris (between the 5th and 13th districts) on the Bievre River. He invested so much on his business that he was known as la folie Gobelin.

Fortunately for him, his business thrived and a tapestry production house was added beside the fabric dyeing business in the 16th century.

Goblins Tapestry Production House Today

In the 3rd or 4th generation of the Gobelins family, many members bought titles of nobility. Balthasar Gobelin graduated from title to title, from “treasurer extraordinary or war”, to “councillor secretary of the king”, to “president of the chamber of accounts”, to “lordship of Briecomte Robert” from King Henry IV.

This goes to illustrate the age old ability for anyone to purchase titles, if one was not born into the “royal line”.

The claim to fame for the Gobelins happened though with the help of royalty.

In 1662 the tapestry establishment was were purchased by Jean Baptiste Colbert, King Louis XIV’s minister of finance, on behalf of Louis XIV and was transformed into a general upholstery manufactory.

The artist in supervision of production was the royal painter, Charles Le Brun.

The official title became Manufacture Royale des Meubles de la Couronne (Royal Factory of Furniture to the Crown).

Due to temporary lack of funding, the factory closed in 1694,  and reopened in 1699, this time to only produce tapestries.

In the 1600s and 1700s, the tapestries produced from this factory were considered to be the finest in all of Europe.

See all French tapestries here

The subject matter of these tapestries?

They were initially the Sun King, Louis XIV, who reigned for 72 years.

Self focused?

Well, there’s more to it than meets the eye…

Louis XIV’s mark on the world was carefully constructed through beautiful art so that he could boast it to the rest of the world. In his lifetime, the medieval world of castles and medieval art was transformed into a more refined art through this period French art history.

It was even known as the King Louis XIV style, used by so many decorators when designing entire floor plans and decor for character homes and offices to this day 2012.

Just see the design and artwork in the Versailles castle  and you will realise the substantial changes in the refinement of art, and French art in particular, which in turn influenced the rest of the world.

See Louis XIV – Lille tapestry here

It was the time where Baroque music ventured into Classical music.

Imagine the art that would expect when you hear Bach’s works, and that is the artwork you would have seen.

Then imagine the art that would expect when you hear Mozart’s piano concertos and again, that is the artwork that evolved at this point in time.

In effect, King Louis XIV thought art was important enough, that he oversaw its very production to ensure that it reflected the good taste of… himself, on behalf of France.

This is why King Louis XIV has been admired as one of the first refined king of all the kings in the rich selection from history, with sumptuous taste, living fully as a king should, in his palace surrounded by art.

His first painter, or art adviser was Charles Le Brun (1619-1690).

Le Brun was declared by King Louis XV as the “greatest painter of all time” and was much supported by Louis XIV.

Topics of art included Louis XIV Equestrian portrait, Apotheosis of Louis XIV, The Assumption of the Virgin, and various other works related to Kings especially Louis XIV, the bible and other serious topics… though he did have a beautiful work of men with heads which were so hairy that they resembled lions.

See Grandes Armoiries tapestry here

And oh, what happened to the subject matter of the art over time?

It developed into a more frivolous and sometimes fantasy like world, especially when Francois Boucher came onto the art scene.

In 1755, Boucher was appointed head of the royal tapestry manufactory at Gobelins.

He later became the first painter of the king, King Louis XV in 1765.

Frivolous, maybe, but beautiful, yes, and the French style of art inevitably turned to the more romantic and sumptuous aspects of life, as was their romantic culture.

Again, does not art always reflect culture?

In this way, the new subject matter of art was finally loosened.

Le Brun loosened his belt slightly in some works, but the topic of kings and the Virgin Mary was no longer the socially acceptable topics in art.

It had to happen.

See Boucher’s Fountain By The Lake tapestry here

The shift of books into “secular” topics, also meant that art did the same.

A relief to many in France at the time for sure, as if there was an artistic outlet of the thoughts and feelings of the people, so see their fantasies in real life art as opposed to only their own imagination.

And to happen in France, meant romanticism and the topics of the every day and even romantic life of nobility.

So the Gobelins came from a brand of art production, in particular tapestry production which the Kings themselves endorsed and encouraged, to produce art which would reflect French standards meant to impress the rest of the world.

French style is seemingly all the rage nowadays.

Even English castles and palaces have tremendous influences from French architecture and decor.

What the French bring to architecture and decor is like what sophisticated cheese bring to an ordinary platter of food.

There is an elegant and classical quality in “Louis XIV style”.

See Versailles Promenade tapestry here

Moving onto the modern day, there is a modernization of this classic style, yet there is a French flavor to its decor that still has that tenuous and distant link all the way back to the elegance of the 16th and 17th century.

The art of the Gobelins, from Le Brun to Boucher and beyond, shows the way the French Kings have changed art forever, moving it from the medieval era to the classic and romantic era, which is timeless in their quality.

Their timelessness, as in French architectural features which in the 21st century still impresses and indeed soothes and relaxes us into submission due to its beauty, is due to factors which many people will say is due to the quality of construction of their form and design, and above all, that extra magic which appeals to the eye, at whatever era we are in.

Many suspect it is the beauty, akin to the beauty of nature, that instantly relaxes our brain waves into alpha frequencies when we see beauty, that makes us benefit and feel like we are in the moment, and in the present.

Health benefits perhaps from a beautiful surrounding?

As well as regulating our brainwaves?

That is the subject of another time.

In the meantime, now you know the origins of romantic art, and the evolution of art from the medieval period to the French romantic style that is sought after by home decorators and offices for their beauty, their expression of beauty.

See all French tapestries here

So enjoy your home decor of French art, and enjoy being a part of the movement to bring beauty into the world for the benefit of everyone.

See Hunt for Maximillian tapestry here

P.S. First two images above of the Gobelins Tapestry Production House comes courtesy of public domain (>70 years since death of original owner) images from wikipedia.

Just wanted to update our testimonial page with a new testimonial from one of our customers:

I would like to just say that the service and the quality of the tapestry I’ve recently purchased are exceptional. The only problem for me was that there are too many tapestries to choose from and deciding on which one to get was the most difficult process. The selection of works, rods and tassels is exceptional. The photos are exactly as the actual physical item received. It was delivered earlier that I anticipated and overall I am very satisfied. Might possibly be a returning customer, just need to see if I can find any more space in the house.

Thank you for a great service.

Much appreciated.

Olivera

So here’s to gorgeous home decorating!

P.S. See our range of wall tapestries here on our front page.

Plus if you are anywhere in the world, we can deliver it to you!

That’s right, we deliver tapestry rods worldwide.

This is new, and we know many of you are excited as you have asked for tapestry rods to be available in the US, the UK, Australia and elsewhere.

See all the Tapestry Rods here

So have a look at out new rods and choose one that matches the tapestry you want.

Tapestry rods make a wonderful finish to your tapestries, along with tassels.

There’s a variety of styles to choose from to suit your taste, and to suit the tapestry.

The Fleur De Lis Antique Tapestry Rod is a popular rod and has sumptuous style and color:

See the Fleur De Lis Antique Tapestry Rod here

The Feather Antique Tapestry Rod is also popular and has that lovely feather design:

See the Feather Antique Tapestry Rod here

Here’s the Arrow Black Tapestry Rod:

See the Arrow Black Tapestry Rod here

As you can see, these are just a few of the available ones.

There are others in pewter, in brass and in black, so have a look!

Choose a rod style that you like.

Also check that if you want tassels, choose the ones that are not “close to the wall” type rods.

Check that the length of the rod which is adjustable, suits the width of the wall tapestry that you are choosing.

So it’s easy to install and to hang a tapestry.

This is how you hang a tapestry, with a rod that suits the tapestry: install the mounting brackets, then hang the tapestry on the rod, add the tapestry rod finials, and hand it onto the brackets.

Optionally, you can add tassels beside the tapestry between the tapestry and the finial.

It’s that simple, and yes, the installation mounting hardware and wall brackets are all included.

See all the Tapestry Rods here

See here for our entire range of tapestry cushion covers

See Tapestry Cushion Covers here

These tapestry cushion covers are a unique work of art.

There are cushion covers in the genres of:

Animal tapestry cushion covers

Beatrix Potter tapestry cushion covers

Floral tapestry cushion covers

Unicorn tapestry cushion covers

William Morris tapestry cushion covers

Tapestry cushion covers are different in their designs as well as their lovely texture when you look at them as well as feel them.

You can use them as home decor to match your wall tapestries, or just on their own in your favorite room in the home, whether it’s your lounge or living room, bedroom, children’s bedroom, or other room.

Many people are looking for decor or decorating ideas and tapestry cushions and pillows are a wonderful way to decorate your favorite room.

Step 1

You should choose a cushion cover that has the genre you like and that has a little of a color relationship with your room’s theme.

See here for our entire range of tapestry cushion covers here:

See All Tapestry Cushion Covers here

This means that the color should go well with some other colors in your room.

It doesn’t need to be the same at all, just a complement to your decor.

Some people use tapestry cushion covers to introduce color to a room that needs color to uplift the room.

2. Or choose a tapestry with a subject matter that will excite you

Many people use cushion covers to add some superb subject matter to a room such as cute animals and creatures. It makes the room more fun and enjoyable for you and loved ones!

An easy and fun way to decorate your favorite room.

3. Increase the effect with wall tapestries

Many people synergise the effect of the tapestry cushion with a similar theme as a wall tapestry or wall hanging, such as William Morris, or floral, or contemporary, whatever suits your fancy!

This makes a theme relationship between the items in your room and makes your room look very professionally finished!

See here for our entire range of tapestry cushion covers here:

See Entire Range of Tapestry Cushion Covers here

Decorate your room and enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of the decor which makes the room more enjoyable.

Imagine the great look your room will have with beautiful cushions, and the feeling of joy and fun you and your loved ones can enjoy with such unique cushions!

Enjoy and decorate and have fun!

See William Morris Woodpecker II Tapestry here

These William Morris tapestries are variations of the Woodpecker tapestry that is a unique work of art.

The original, is in fact, closest to the one above with the cyan acanthus leaves.

The mix of blue with green in the rendition of leaves is a popular move among artists not only from the Victorian age, but from the 17th century French era where verdure tapestries used blue greens to add a dimension of subtle color to foliage, which in reality is a mixture of yellow greens and blue greens.

This work, Woodpecker is unique in that it is one of the rare works by Morris and Co that is totally designed by William Morris himself.

See the whole range of William Morris tapestries here.

Other works were collaborations between Morris and Dearle, but this work was his own work.

See William Morris Woodpecker III Tapestry here

The legend behind the tapestry Woodpecker is a fable or story where the Italian King Picus was transformed into a woodpecker by Circe, so that she could keep him in her forests forever, as she was jealous of his faithful love for his wife.

The story is from Ovid’s Metamorphoses, and Morris expanded the specific verse of Picus into a poem from which inspired this tapestry.

Such is the inspiration of Morris works, often from classic works, classic fables, or classic principles. The poem reads “once a king and chief, now am the tree-barks thief, ever twixt trunk and leaf, chasing the prey.”

Written in 8 AD, the 12,000 line poem is one of the largest sources of legends and tales that has survived to the 21st century including Apollo and Daphne and Pyramus and Thisbe. The overall theme of the work is change or transformation and change. You have gods changing forms and changing of humans to other forms including the woodpecker in this tale.

A great tale, inspiring great tapestries by Morris.

This is where art comes from – from other works of art.

And it inspires anyone who looks upon it.

William Morris tapestries draws from many legends, and are distinctive in their superb detail as well as sense of movement from his love of foliage.

If you’re looking for beautiful tapestries to decorate any room, with unique art, then see this entire collection of William Morris tapestries and wall hangings here.

Look no further than this new, little seen series by Simon Bull of modern floral tapestries that have just been released.

If your decor needs something beautiful and you need a new tapestry, then have a look here:

See ‘Fragrance’ Simon Bull Tapestry here

The reason why Simon Bull’s work has soared to celebrity status, is that his works, as was told to him by people who see his work in a landmark exhibition in London (in Harrods actually, of all places), it that his works move them.

They told him that his works hit them at their emotional centre.

This was a sudden realisation for Simon as he then finally understood the impact that his works had on others.

His works have been described as magical, or emotionally moving by the people that viewed his works.

When he realised this, he understood their impact.

Here you can see why.

His use of color is very unique.

Because of this, his works are sought after and are used to decorate homes of royalty, presidents, celebrities, and museums as well as private collectors.

See ‘Desiree’ Simon Bull Tapestry here

And the other quality of his work that captivates the viewer is that it evokes a dreamlike state.

In the Desiree tapestry, you feel as if you are a little creature that has wandered into a large flower and you see all the details of the petals in an unreal scene.

In the Fragrance tapestry (the first one on this page), you feel as if you have walked into the heart of the flower, and the colors of yellow and Asian inspired red can move the viewer to an emotional journey, as well as a dream like world that exists in the mind of the viewer.

Then in the Because of You tapestry, again, this dreamlike state that draws the viewer in, makes you feel that you have entered a world of the white flower which absorbs the various colors surrounding it to create a color world within the flower itself.

These works have redefined the meaning of contemporary or modern floral tapestries.

They have a masterful use of color and composition as well as the overall emotional effect, which is what masterful art is all about, that makes the work so brilliant and so enjoyable to look at.

People who view these tapestries note their beauty, sheer beauty, and then beyond that, the emotional effect that the tapestry has.

See ‘Because Of You’ Simon Bull Tapestry here

So have a look at these modern new floral tapestries by Simon Bull and get one for your home to transform it.

These are brand new works that have just been released.

The art of Simon Bull is a secret weapon used to turn a room into one which makes people enjoy the moment and the surroundings so much more.

They turn heads, but most importantly they move people and give them an experience.

See the entire range of floral tapestries here of flowers and floral wall hangings.

Also, the whole range of contemporary and modern tapestries here.

Elephant tapestries often celebrate this role of the elephant in everyday life and culture.

Want some ideas for using elephant tapestries?Here are some examples of elephant tapestries.

1. First let’s have a look at the Indian elephant tapestry

See ‘Old World Elephant I’ Tapestry here

In Indian culture, elephants symbolize Buddhism.

As a result, they are revered as sacred and are respected for their role in society. They are the basis of many festivals through the year celebrating elephants.

Since 1500 BC, elephants carried the maharajas in full royal costume. Here in this tapestry above we see the elephant in royal attire strolling through the grounds of the Indian palace.

2. The African elephant

Here we see the African elephant roaming the grasses of the Savannah.

The difference between the Asian and African elephants?

African elephants are larger and also have larger ears, and both male and female elephants have tusks.

See ‘Elephants’ Tapestry here

The Savannah refers to the vast grasslands of Africa, and literally means the land without many trees but with grasses, either long or short.

Here we see the grasses and hills providing the backdrop for the African mother elephant and child.

3. The elephant as a family

The social structure of elephants are complex and social.

The mother is protective and caring of their young, and travel and survival in groups composed of females, such as mothers, aunts, sisters and daughters is a prominent part of their social hierarchy. Males on the other hand are more solitary in nature.

See ‘Among Family’ Elephant Tapestry here

In this tapestry we see a baby elephant distinctly shorter than the adults in the group of elephants.

The detail of the textures of the elephant’s skin can be clearly seen and the color palette is cohesive and complements the colors of the African plains and surrounds very well.

To decorate with elephant tapestries is simple.

1. Select the elephant tapestry that you like

2. Ensure that the tapestry will fit the wall space it is intended for

3. Choose a tapestry rod to suit the elephant tapestry, and tapestry tassels as desired

4. Mount the tapestry rod brackets on the wall to hang the tapestry, following the instructions provided in the tapestry rod packaging

5. Enjoy the beauty the elephant tapestry brings, and your friends and loved ones will comment.

The elephant is symbolic of many things, and is a wonderful creature in itself.

To decorate with elephant tapestries can show the wonderful essence and spirit of the elephant in your room or home.

If you’re looking to decorate your home with chenille tapestry, then see these ideas here for decorating with great effect.

Chenille is used in tapestry production because of its texture and the way it looks.

How?1. Chenille tapestry art is mad of chenille fibers which gives its characteristic softness and look.

The chenille yarn is made of  a combination of two core yarns and woven around it, the pile yarn like a ‘caterpillar’. These two types of yarn are at 90 degrees apart, giving it a softness as well as its unique look.

The chenille can look iridescent without the use of iridescent fibers.

See Tulipe Red chenille tapestry here

In this example, we see the Tulipe Red chenille tapestry.

Here we see a botanically accurate rendition of a red tulip, in a tapestry that is a work of art.

The chenille renders the tulip and background in a beautiful texture and color and luminescence.

Chenille fabric or yarn is made of a variety of materials, with the most common being acrylic, rayon, rayon and olefin, combined with cotton.

2. Chenille tapestries to give a room a beautiful focal point.

A tapestry has a presence about them.

This is why they have been used in castles, palaces and homes for centuries as decor which brings a unique look and elegance.

The subjects that they portray cover a range of genres.

The beauty of this is that you can choose a tapestry that matches your taste and the needs of your home.

See Castle of Ooidonk tapestry here

As an example, we see the Castle of Ooidonk tapestry here.

Here, we see the famous castle of Belgium from the 13-14th century with its distinctive architectural features.

Renditions of castles and coat of arms are a common theme in tapestries.

This stems from their origins from France and Belgium from medieval periods, through to the romantic periods of Louis XIV and XV, through to the post impressionism and modern age.

Some of the art seen are works which have been used to decorate palaces from famous palaces and castles themselves.

Tapestries not made of chenille, but other fibers such as cotton, wool, treveria, acrylic and combinations of these also provide a great fabric for the creation of tapestries.

So search for wall tapestries of all genres for the one that you like.

3. Chenille tapestry wall hangings can provide a specific mood.

Want to evoke a certain mood?

Then use tapestry wall art.

See chenille ‘Flanders Poppies’ tapestry here

Choose from the entire range of wall tapestries, including chenille tapestries, to produce a certain effect in a room.

If you want to infuse romance, elegance, excitement, serenity or other effect into a room decor, then use a tapestry to produce that effect.

The process is to choose a tapestry that appeals to you, as well as helps produce the effect you want in the particular room.

So the steps to decorating with a chenille tapestry is simple.

Choose a tapestry that you like.

Then select a tapestry rod and tapestry tassels is desired, that suits the tapestry.

Ensure that your wall space fits the tapestry by using a tape measure.

Instal the tapestry rod on your wall by following the simple instructions that comes with the packaging of the tapestry rod.

Then enjoy the effect that a tapestry brings to your home decor. When you and your friends and loved ones spend time in the the room, you will notice the beauty and they will comment.

Browse our entire range of tapestries here.

See Lemon chenille tapestry here