Hi Puzzlers,
It happened again! I must have hit the wrong button or icon on my computer and ended up at a site I didn’t intend on visiting. But to be honest, I do not think I hit the wrong key or button, I think my computer is possessed! In any case, this unintended site visit was a pleasant experience; I ended up at a tapestry web site. It was loaded with tapestries from all over the world and from every time period! It got me thinking about tapestries and how they are like snapshots of history, each portraying and capturing a moment in time and preserving it for future generations.
The art of tapestry weaving is centuries old and can be traced to many diverse cultures throughout the world. The Greek Empire covered the walls of Parthenon and other significant civic buildings with tapestries. Burial garments, woven with tapestry designs were used by the ancient Egyptians and Incas. But, it would be the Medieval French who would solidify the tapestries place in history.
Many of the earliest tapestries were commissioned in the 13th and 14th century by the Catholic Church. They were used to depict Bible stories to the churches many illiterate parishioners. The Apocalypse of St John is the oldest existing set of church tapestries. It was woven in Paris from 1375 to 1379 and contains six hangings, each 18 feet high, totaling 471 feet in length!
Only church monarchs and the most affluent had tapestries during the Middle Ages, and as such, the tapestry became a status symbol for wealthy aristocrats. Kings and nobleman would often take their tapestries with them for comfort and prestige when traveling. Tapestries were used to insulate large rooms from the damp and cold weather, to cover formal walls of big castles and to provide privacy around a bed.
Only church monarchs and the most affluent had tapestries during the Middle Ages, and as such, the tapestry became a status symbol for wealthy aristocrats. Kings and nobleman would often take their tapestries with them for comfort and prestige when traveling. Tapestries were used to insulate large rooms from the damp and cold weather, to cover formal walls of big castles and to provide privacy around a bed.
During the 15th century an estimated 15,000 people were employed in the tapestry craft. Weaving skills would be passed down from father to son. A skilled father and son team could weave just one square foot of tapestry in two months. Many of the most famous tapestries, including the “Lady with the Unicorn” series were woven in Loire Valley in the 15th century.
Tapestries are time machines of woven art that are meant to be shared with future generations.
Happy Puzzling!
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