In a world of fast furniture and fleeting trends, vintage tapestry will always stand out as a symbol of enduring beauty and craftsmanship. These extremely detailed woven textiles, rich with history and artistic expression, offer more than decorative value—they tell stories of eras long past, cultures once dominant, and the artisans whose hands brought them to life. Today, as designers and collectors alike rediscover the magic of historical design, vintage tapestries are experiencing a renaissance.
But what exactly is a tapestry? And why has it continued to fascinate us through the centuries?
More Than Decoration: The Art and Function of Tapestry
The word “tapestry” comes from the Old French tapisserie, meaning a heavy woven textile used for wall hangings or furniture coverings. But tapestries are more than ornamental fabrics; they are a fusion of fine art and functional design.
Tapestry weaving dates back thousands of years, with the earliest examples found in ancient Egypt and the Hellenistic world. These textiles were originally used for ceremonial but also practical purposes; they helped insulated stone walls! But also displayed wealth, and preserved histories in visual form.
The true golden age of European tapestry occurred during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, particularly between the 14th and 17th centuries. Centers of tapestry production—like Aubusson in France, Brussels in Belgium, and Mortlake in England—rose to international prominence.
Nobility commissioned custom-woven panels that often took years to complete. These textiles adorned castles, churches, and palaces, illustrating biblical scenes, historical battles, or mythological tales with stunning precision.
The clever thing with tapestries, unlike paintings, was that they were portable. Monarchs and clergy often traveled with their tapestries, rolling them up and transporting them from estate to estate. This mobility helped spread design styles across Europe and made tapestry an especially prized art form.
Technique and Craftsmanship
What sets tapestry apart from other textiles is the method of its creation. Woven on vertical (high-warp, or also haute-lisse) or horizontal (low-warp, or basse-lisse) looms, tapestries are made by interlacing weft threads through stationary warp threads. The weft, typically wool or silk, is what creates the image, while the warp—usually hidden—is often linen or cotton.
Unlike embroidery, which is stitched onto a pre-existing fabric, tapestry is created entirely during the weaving process. This makes the process incredibly labor-intensive. For instance, a square meter of fine medieval tapestry might require months of meticulous work.
Weavers worked from full-size painted cartoons (design templates), which guided their every thread. Though most of the time anonymous, these artisans were highly skilled, blending shades and textures to mimic light, shadow, and depth. Some tapestries even featured metallic threads or botanical dyes, giving them a richness and luminosity that has lasted until today.
The Visual Language of Tapestry
Tapestries functioned as both art and propaganda. Royal commissions often included family crests or symbols of political power. One of the most known pieces, the famed Apocalypse Tapestry (1377–1382), commissioned by Louis I of Anjou, is over 100 meters long and illustrates scenes from the Book of Revelation—likely intended to reinforce royal authority during turbulent times.
Religious themes were popular, especially in early Gothic and Romanesque tapestries. Later, during the Renaissance, subjects expanded to include pastoral scenes and Greco-Roman myths.
Another legendary part of tapestry history is The Lady and the Unicorn series, now found at the Musée de Cluny in Paris, and is one of the most celebrated works of this era. Woven in the late 15th century, these six tapestries depict a noble lady interacting with a unicorn and a lion—interpreted variously as representations of the five senses and the sixth being a mystery unto itself: “À mon seul désir” - meaning “my whole desire”.
From Courtly Walls to Bohemian Homes
By the time the 18th century had arrived, changes in taste and the rise of printed fabrics began to wane the popularity of large-scale tapestries. However, they remained status symbols and continued to be made in more restrained, Rococo and Neoclassical styles. With the Industrial Revolution, mechanized looms allowed for mass-produced wall hangings, lowering the artistry but increasing accessibility.
In the 20th century, tapestry saw a revival in the form of the Arts and Crafts movement and later, mid-century modernism. Designers like William Morris embraced medieval techniques, emphasizing handwork and storytelling. Meanwhile, artists like Jean Lurçat in France reawakened tapestry as a contemporary figure, blending abstraction with ancient craftsmanship.
Today, antique tapestries from various periods are collected and displayed not only for their beauty, but also for their cultural and historical significance. They appear in museums, high-end design homes, and even modern apartment walls—bridging past and present through texture and narrative.
Types of Antique Tapestries
While “antique tapestry” can refer to any old or antique woven wall hanging, there are several styles and origins to know:
- Aubusson Tapestry (France): Known for its elegant, painterly scenes—especially floral arrangements and neoclassical landscapes—Aubusson tapestries are highly sought after in vintage markets.
- Flemish Tapestry (Belgium): Featuring intricate Gothic or Renaissance themes, these tapestries were considered the finest in Europe for centuries.
- Verdure Tapestry: A subtype characterized by lush forest scenes, often used to bring nature indoors in stately homes.
- Kelim and Suzani (Middle East and Central Asia): While not technically tapestries in the traditional European sense, these flat-weave textiles and embroidered panels are often included under the broader vintage tapestry umbrella.
The Modern Collector’s Perspective
Antique tapestry collecting is not only a pursuit of beauty, but also one of preservation. Each piece holds evidence of material history—what fibers were used, what colors were in vogue, what stories were considered worth telling. They offer insight into a region’s trade, climate, and societal values.
Condition, origin, and technique all affect a tapestry’s value. Fading and minor wear are expected in older pieces, but intact weaving, original borders, and historical documentation can dramatically increase the worth of a piece. Many antique tapestries are labeled or traced back to specific ateliers.
Interior designers also value tapestries for their ability to ground a space. A single woven panel can transform a sterile wall into a storybook, adding depth, warmth, and a sense of global sophistication. In minimalist or modern homes, vintage textiles bring balance—a soulful counterpoint to sleek surfaces.
The finest collection of antique French tapestry outside of Europe is right here! The Getty Museum in Los Angeles houses a remarkable collection of 17th- and 18th-century tapestries. Highlights include The Story of Don Quixote and Boucher’s Emperor of China series. Made from silk, wool, and metallic threads, these works once symbolized power and prestige at the French court. Today, they’re displayed in rotation to preserve their delicate beauty. Each tapestry offers a vivid glimpse into Baroque luxury and storytelling.
Caring for Antique Tapestries
Due to their age and fragility, antiquue tapestries require thoughtful care. To maintain their condition it's important to avoid direct sunlight since UV rays will fade delicate dyes over time. Also keeping away from moisture, such as keeping a tapestry in the bathroom, since it can create mildew and weaken the piece. A lot of people mount tapestries on fabric-lined backings to reduce stress on the weave, and you should also consider conservation framing.
A Living Tradition
While we often associate tapestry with the past, it remains a living art. Contemporary artists are still embracing the loom, blending digital design with hand-weaving.
Vintage tapestries, in this light, are not merely historical artifacts—they’re part of a larger picture. By collecting, displaying, and honoring them, we keep alive a tradition of storytelling that transcends language, origin, and time.
At Mansour, we carefully select our collection, and have a broad mix of antique tapestry from the most historical places in the world.
Brussels Historical Tapestry Belgium 16th Century
This handwoven Belgian Brussels is made in wool and silk. The motif shows a king who sits on his throne as a woman kneels before him, her posture full of pleading. Courtiers surround them watching the scene. In the foreground, one courtier carries a wine jug, while another stands nearby, taking in the scene. Between them are more wine vessels and trunks filled with coins, their contents catching the light. In the background, a peaceful town stretches out below a hill covered in soft, leafy trees.
Flemish Verdure Tapestry Belgium 17th Century
This flemish is also made out of wool and silk, featuring a tranquil wooded landscape with lush nature. The blue color, indigo and beige makes this piece a little more simple than the intricate motifs. This would be beautiful textile art to hang above a modern bedframe, or even as an entry piece in the hallway of your home. It’s a mesmerizing piece of Flemish tapestry, without telling too much of a story. This leaves it to your imagination!
Aubusson Tapestry France 17th Century
As mentioned above, the French were one of the most famous in the world in creating intricate tapestry. This work of art is illustrating Joseph greeting his kneeling brother, surrounded by guards, with additional soldiers standing around them on a grand blue canopy. In the background, majestic classical buildings rise into view. The scene is enclosed within a richly decorated frame of floral and vines, bordered by elegant stripes. You can understand why they were known for their elegant, painterly scenes.
Flemish Pastoral Tapestry Belgium 16th Century
This is a very old piece of Belgian Flemish Pastoral tapestry from the 16th century. In the foreground, a shepherd stands with his flock as a woman hands him a gift. They're surrounded by leafy branches and a wooden barrel. In the background, a couple sits by a shop selling tools, while a grand church and other town buildings rise behind them.
Whether found in a flea market in Paris, inherited from a relative, or acquired from us here at Mansour, an antique tapestry is never just décor. It is a woven witness to humanity’s dreams, struggles, and imagination—captured not in ink or oil, but in thread…