The history of tapestries weaves the history of man into a beautiful format

Almost every country in the world has some form of tapestry that has evolved through the centuries. Each history is a little bit different. The most common understanding of the history of tapestries places its birth in a utilitarian purpose. Centuries ago when the weather was cold, people did not have the luxury of turning up the furnace or adding another layer of insulation to the attic. The history of tapestries shows that they first were plain and simply broad expanses of clothe. They were hung on the inside of exterior walls to try and control the heat inside. They served to cut down on any drafts coming in and to keep the heat produced by fireplaces and stoves inside.

As time went on and the concept of covering your walls with cloth as insulation took hold people began to see the aesthetic possibilities. Weavers began to create designs and pictures in the cloth and large wall hangings became common in grand homes and castles. Many of these tapestries began to tell stories and to preserve the history of the homes they adorned or the heroes of the family. They became glorious decorations and a status symbol in the community. The history of tapestries includes the history they preserved.

There are ancient tapestries that tell stories and documents events from the past before it was preserved in books and on film. The history of tapestries takes you through the history of man and many of the most popular patterns have been reproduced through the ages and are still enjoyed today.

Author Notes:

Laurie Simpson contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.tapestry-tapestry.com. Tapestries make elegant gifts as table runners, pillows, throws and wall hangings found in traditional and medieval prints.