Introduction to the world of wall tapestry
Woven tapestries and wall hangings are some of the most effective forms of literary expression. Wall tapestries are rich in textures that are not found in any other form of art.  This has been used right from the olden times when the stories of Odyssey and Iliad, Aneida and Metamorphoses were told and made dramatic to the ancient Greeks. Today this decorative home accessory is brought to life by using contemporary designs and art forms. Wall tapestries add a touch of warmth to any house; their soft and relaxed yet stylish livability instills a touch of sophistication to the whole ambiance.

History of wall tapestries
Tapestries were born hundreds of years back in almost all the civilized cultures of the world. Ancient Egyptians and the Incas buried their dead in tapestry woven clothing. The important civic buildings of the Greek Empire like the Parthenon’s walls were covered with this art form. Nevertheless, it was the French weavers of the medieval age who brought the craft to fruition.

This art form was even utilized by the Church in the 13th and 14th centuries for narrating the stories of the Bible to the illiterate worshippers. Till date there are traces of a few of these tapestries. The oldest tapestry in this regard is the Apocalypse of St John, a set of six tapestries that are approximately eighteen feet high and 471 feet in length (total); these were woven in Paris from 1375 to 1379. Paris was the center of tapestry production until the Hundred Years War, from 1337 to 1453 caused these weavers to escape to the North via Arras to Flanders (the present day Belgium and Northern France).

During the Middle Ages, tapestries were considered to be a status symbol in the aristocratic class. However, besides adding a beauty and a class to the homes, tapestries also had some practical uses – they served as insulation providers for the castle walls covering the openings and giving privacy around beds. During travels, the kings and the nobles carried these tapestries for both comfort as well as status. It was a custom that after a battle the winner was handed over the tapestry and in case of problems like it not fitting the door and window openings, the tapestries were either cut or joined with others.

One of the well-known works include the “Lady with the Unicorn” series that was woven at around 15th century. The other popular images included stories from the Bible, various myths, allegories and some contemporary sceneries.

The craftsmen of the Medieval ages had a different style of working – they were free to choose their subject from their imagination. However, during the Renaissance period, tapestries became full-sized working drawings or cartoons which were blindly replicated by the craftsmen. In this process this work of art was reduced to imitation of well known paintings instead of independent pieces of art.

Wall tapestries are usually made of natural cotton fiber.

It is not only important to invest in a good wall tapestry to enhance the beauty of your home but also to ensure that is hung properly. Generally the tapestry wall hangings are available with a three to four inch rod pocket that is sewn on the reverse side of the fabric. These can be hung with decorative metal rods (somewhat similar to the curtain rods) or customized wood rods with wall brackets – in fact there are a wide variety of choices to match very home and décor style.

To enhance the beauty of your wall tapestry, make sure that the brackets protrude about two to three inches from the wall. Also the tapestry should stop just at the point where the finial is attached to the rod. To add a touch of glamour, a very vibrant colored satin tassel can be placed between the end of the tapestry hanging and the beginning of the decorator finial.

Remember a properly and well hung tapestry gives your home a touch of warmth and glow.