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Where did tapestry originate?
1 Answer

Historians are not completely sure where tapestries originated. Ancient literature from Rome, Greece and other civilizations does not specifically mention tapestries, but that doesn't mean that they didn't exist. We do know that the Ancient Egyptians did produce and utilize tapestries, as examples have been discovered in the tombs of Thutmose IV and Tutankhamen. The word tapestry wasn't coined until the 15th century, and it originated in England. Find a wide variety of tapestries on 1stDibs.
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024
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Shop for Tapestries on 1stDibs
Antique Japanese Ink Painting Curtain/Wabi-Sabi Tapestry/1868-1920
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is an old Japanese noren curtain. It is believed to be made from a traditional Japanese fabric called asa or basho, made from banana leaf fibers. Noren curtains were originally hung at the entrances of shops and homes, gently blocking outside views and breezes while also conveying a sense of the presence of people and the changing seasons, a presence born from Japan's unique lifestyle and culture. More than simply a room divider, noren curtains also quietly convey the aesthetic sense of the people and businesses that inhabit them.
The greatest appeal of this work lies in the ink paintings executed on the fabric. The moon, bamboo grass, rocks, and flowing river are depicted, making ample use of the white space, creating a tranquil worldview reminiscent of Chinese and Japanese landscape paintings. However, the depiction is by no means verbose; the bamboo grass is depicted with minimal, omitted lines, and the river is not depicted in full, leaving it to the viewer's imagination. In the center, a full moon is depicted only as an outline, and its understated depiction evokes a sense of transience and lingering beauty.
A two-character signature can be seen in the corner of the painting, but details about the artist are unknown. However, noren curtains painted directly onto them in ink like this are extremely rare, and I have only seen them a few times before. I think it is particularly noteworthy that such poetic, highly refined pictorial expression has been applied to a noren curtain, which is supposed to be a practical item.
Over the years, the entire fabric has taken on a slight brownish tinge, taking on the depth and tranquility that only comes with aging. This color blends with the pale ink colors of the ink, quietly blending into the space without making a strong statement. It pairs particularly well with white walls, and I highly recommend using it not only as a noren curtain, but also hanging it on the wall like a tapestry for viewing. I believe that just hanging one in a space will bring a sense of dignified space and the depth of time.
Size & Specifications
Cloth Width: Approx. 87.5 cm
Height: Approx. 150.5 cm
Cloth Thickness: Very thin (approx. 0.05 mm; exact measurements not taken)
Top Bamboo Rod Length: Approx. 98.5 cm
Item Number
OB314
It's impossible to say when we'll ever be able to find another antique noren...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Tapestries
Materials
Hemp
Nice vintage French Aubusson Style Jacquard Tapestry « Autumn-winter »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
"Exquisite French tapestry from the mid-20th century, featuring a beautiful design titled « Automne-Hiver» ( Autumn-winter ) and nice colours, woven at renowned Jules Pansu workshops...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Aubusson Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Cotton, Acrylic
The Regal Convergence: A French Tapestry Masterpiece of Courtly Grandeur
Located in Dallas, TX
79397 Antique French Tapestry, 07'08 x 08'11. This exceptional handwoven wool tapestry transports you straight into the rarefied world of Renaissance pageantry—an era where nobility,...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Western European Rugs
Materials
Wool
$15,645 Sale Price
25% Off
Japanese Antique "BORO" Edo period 1800s-1860s / Rag Abstract Art Wabi-Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old Japanese BORO textile, dating back to the Edo period (1800s–1860s). It is a rare cloth that has survived through a long span of time. The interplay of indigo and natur...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Tapestries
Materials
Fabric
Historical 18cen. Antique French Aubusson Tapestry 252x287cm Wool&Silk Isaac 8x9
Located in New York, NY
This antique French Aubusson tapestry features a vivid biblical depiction of Isaac, set within lush landscapes and executed in wool and silk. Its elegant coloration, craftsmanship, a...
Category
Antique 18th Century French French Provincial Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Silk
Nice vintage French Aubusson Style Jacquard Tapestry « Gallant meeting »
By Jules Pansu
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Exquisite French tapestry from the mid-20th century, featuring a beautiful design titled « Rendez-vous galant » ( Gallant meeting ) and nice colours, woven at renowned Jules Pansu wo...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Aubusson Tapestries
Materials
Wool, Cotton, Acrylic


