Fine Art Wall Tapestries and Tapestry Wall Hangings

There are antique specimens of Egyptian tapestries dating back to 1500 B.C. The Incas of Peru created beautiful tapestries during the pre-Columbian era (1540 B.C. to 1500 A.D.). There were also ancient Chinese and early Greek period tapestries produced. Greek paintings and poetry indicated the use of tapestry weaving as an important household industry.

In the 5th century A.D. and after, monasteries and convents were the center of tapestry craft. Woolen tapestries began appearing in Europe.

By the 15th century, the art of tapestry and weaving had reached a degree of perfection. An example of Renaissance tapestry fine art was "The Acts of the Apostles" from the Cartoons of Raphael.

The Raphael Cartoons were commissioned from the great Italian Renaissance painter Raphael Sanzio (1483-1520) in 1515 by Pope Leo X (reigned 1513-21). They were planned as full-scale designs for a set of ten tapestries that Leo X intended to cover the lower walls of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. The cartoons and tapestries depict the acts of St. Peter and St. Paul, represented as twin founders of the early church, and the Papacy.

The beauty and history of tapestries is rich and compelling. This interesting medium is unique and full of color, texture and allure.