Skip to main content
Questions & Answers
Our trusted network of 1stDibs sellers answer common questions

Where did tapestry originate?

1 Answer
Where did tapestry originate?
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
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

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 »
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

Shop All