Want unicorn tapestries to decorate your room or home?
Have a look at these 7 ideas here on how to use unicorn wall hangings to transform any decor.
Themes in unicorn art and wall decor include the Lady and the Unicorn, the Hunt of the Unicorn tapestries, or even the Unicorn in Captivity series, as some of the most famous pieces to use.
See our entire range of Unicorn Tapestries here to choose from.
1. Use A ‘Portiere’ Style Tapestry
Unicorn wall tapestries comes in a variety of styles.
The portiere wall hanging is one that is longer than is wide, and were used in castles and palaces to cover doorways.
Now, they are used in their own right as a work of art.
For example, Portiere Unicorn here is a portiere style tapestry filled with sumptuous detail.
This piece shows a detail from the Lady and the Unicorn tapestry series with the forest creatures, forest flowers and the Lady’s pets and the mystical unicorn with flowing cape of the Le Viste family which commissioned the work.
A mythical creature such as the unicorn is used to evoke the imagination and senses.
And it is because the unicorn is a thing of beauty as well as being mythical.
Or even mystical.
Filled with mystery, this subject of the unicorn has fascinated artists for centuries.
If you want to add an element of medieval or fantasy to your room or home, then a unicorn wall tapestry will give the look and feel you’re looking for.
2. The Lady And The Unicorn Tapestry Series
The original Lady and the Unicorn series shows the 5 senses and the 6th work of love or desire.
A reproduction based on the famous Lady and the Unicorn tapestries series is another way to add unicorn decor to your home.
Here is an example:
See the Le Gout or Taste unicorn tapestry here, where the lady tastes the sweet given by her hand maiden flanked by the unicorn and the lion.
In the scene we see the coat of arms of the Le Viste family on the two flags and shields.
These 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.
The originals of the Lady and Unicorn series were woven in the 15th century at the end of the medieval period.
They were discovered in 1841 by Prosper Mérimée in Boussac castle, Creuse.
These works are shrouded in mystery and beauty, as their origins and meaning have been the subject of much discussion and controversy.
Lady And The Unicorn Tapestry – Hearing
The originals are now housed in the Musee National du Moyen-Age Thermes de Cluny in Paris.
The Le Viste family was a prominent family from Lyons, France.
Jean II had a penchant to display the family emblem, the red flag with characteristic blue stripe and crescents.
In another theory it was thought that Jean Le Viste ordered the six works to portray the beauty of a lady in works of art that would last generations.
As another in this series, here is Sight of La Vue from the Lady And The Unicorn Tapestry.
Their specific meaning of each work is subtly altered by the reason for its commission.
If a celebration of a beautiful lady, it may represent the senses in which she, or any subject of love or interest, can be fully appreciated.
Alternatively, it is the celebration of the senses, with the sixth “A Mon Seul Desir” interpreted to mean “to my sole desire”, or “according to my desire”, or “love only desires beauty of soul”.
As medieval unicorn tapestries, these six works are used to decorate homes to provide a distinct style of art filled with mystery and mythology.
3. The Hunt Of The Unicorn Series
The Hunt of the Unicorn is another series of art you can decorate with.
They are created as a nuptial gift for Anne of Brittany and Charles VIII in 1491, and is also known as “La Chasse de la Licorne”.
They were thought that the unicorn represented eternal life, ability to give life and to heal, and even represent the power of healing of Christ.
The Hunt of the Unicorn series were thought to have been created between 1495 and 1505 in southern Netherlands.
See Unicorn At The Fountain Tapestry here
The originals were bought by John D Rockefeller for about 1 million US dollars in 1922 and was donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1937.
They are now in The Cloisters Museum in Manhattan, New York City, which displays on medieval art.
In this enchanting series, the unicorn is captured by a hunter in a pen in some scenes and is later resurrected in another scene, and according to some, is a symbol of the unicorn’s immortality.
The work also shows the mystical powers of the unicorn to heal.
It’s horn in particular was believed to have these powers, and in this scene, when dipped in a fountain that has been poisoned by serpents, the water is transformed.
The Hunt of the Unicorn is a series of works which depict interaction with the unicorn in a way that is dramatically different to that of the Lady and the Unicorn.
Instead of being a domesticated creature feeding off the hand of the Lady, it is here, a creature of the wild.
Being wild and free, the unicorn is hunted and captured, and yet, because of its unique powers, rises again to life and is free once more.
4. Knights of the Round Table
In this tapestry we see the unicorn and lion in the setting of the forest in the tales of the Knights of the Round Table.
This unicorn wall art tapestry was inspired by the art of William Morris (1836-1896). The Quest for the Unicorn by King Arthur’s 24 knights is depicted in this design.
The lion and unicorn are seen on the river bank of the forest, decorated with the shields of the Knights on the trees in their bold colors and designs of their coats of arms.
The script at the top describes the adventures of King Arthur’s gallant knights. So the Arthurian legend says, a unicorn can be captured if lured by a virgin.
This piece is filled with the mille fleur details in the background of the textile design.
5. Unicorn Tapestry Cushion Covers
You can also add color and texture to a room with unicorn cushion covers.
To give a room much glorious color and composition, you can add large cushions that show a detail from one of the unicorn series of tapestries.
Here in this unicorn cushion cover we see the lady in beautiful detail:
See all Unicorn Tapestry cushion covers
The unicorn, the rampant lion are also available in this series of cushion covers to accompany the Lady.
Conclusion
The mythology of the unicorn is part of its appeal.
Some cultures claim that the unicorn has been sighted and described in historical documents detailing battles and the that of Genghis Khan, on the verge of China’s conquer of India in 1224, which upon its sighting, was so feared, that it led to his retreat to eluding the China’s victory.
The mysteries surrounding this creature are what adds to their interest as wall 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 will enjoy the mystery and elegance they add to any room in the home.
See all Unicorn Tapestries here
Ready to decorate with unicorn tapestry art?
The simple steps are:
- Choose the tapestry that appeals to you.
- Measure the walls to ensure it is a good fit.
- Choose a tapestry rod and tassels.
- Mount the tapestry with instructions provided for the installation of the rod.
Then enjoy the unique ambiance these unicorn tapestries give to your room and home decor for all to enjoy.