Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Tapestry Love




While I was back in Pennsylvania 
for the holidays, 
my mother took me to 
an amazing antique shop
in Pittsburgh called 












They have over 300,000 square feet
of space filled with 
phenomenal imported antiques
and
they
ALSO
have
French Tapestries
specifically....
verdure tapestries.

My most favorite.



Close-up of an antique woven fragment.


Veranda Magazine



Lee Jofa French Verdure Tapestry Fabric - Elegant Floral
Lee Jofa tapestry fabric.

Verdure tapestries date back to the sixteenth century.
The word "verdure" is a derivative 
of the French word "vert" meaning green. 
Initially, these mostly green tapestries 
were characterized not only by their green tones, 
but also by their complex foliage, leafy trees, 
and flower motifs. Later pieces included additional
 objects such as woodland animals 
and architectural features such as castles, bridges, etc.

Woven works of art.

Veranda Magazine

 Image 1 New Scalamandre Velvet Fabric Pillows Marly Pair Green
Lee Jofa and Scalamandre have fabrics that resemble verdure tapestries.



Antique fragment.



This is a tapestry cartoon hanging in my living room
 from the archives of the Aubusson factory in France.

My husband and I found it in Paris and had it framed a few years back
during a trip to Paris. Link to Dealer

Cartoons are life-size renderings done on canvas or paper
that a tapestry weaver uses as a guide. These paintings were created 
by an artist (or cartonnier) and then taken to the tapestry client 
for approval before the weaving can begin.  



Veranda Magazine
Trouvais.com
VandM.com

   



(Top of a carved bench at Artifacts)  Please stop by Artifacts in Pittsburgh if you ever get the chance.
It is a phenomenal shop that is packed with museum-quality furnishings. Not to be missed! 



Do you have any
tapestry pieces in your home?



GIVEAWAY COMING SOON!
Stop back later this week
to enter a giveaway for an antique transferware
platter and more! A collection put together
especially for YOU, my friends and followers
who mean so much to me.
:)








24 comments:

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh I love tapestries, they have always intrigued me with such find weavings and needlework. Sounds like such a fabulous place to visit and be impressed. I always hunt for scraps when I can find them to make pillows out of, they are fabulous. Thanks for the tour. Hugs, marty

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

We've seen the beautiful tapestries at the Biltmore estate in Asheville. They really soften a big room! I love making pillows out of tapestry fabric! ♥

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

How wonderful that you were able to bring a piece back with you from your travels. Nope, no tapestries in my home, darn!

Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR said...

Alison, these tapestries are just exquisite! The needlework is stunning! I only have one; but would give my eye/teeth for more!

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Well, I learned lots of new things. No, I don't have any tapestries.

Kelly said...

No, I don't have any tapestries in my home. They don't really go. I like them in the right setting though. I used to have some tapestry pillows though. Those pics of tapestries are very pretty though. I like how they warm up a large wall too.

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

Thanks for the lesson on tapestries! I don't have any, unfortunately. The ones you featured are gorgeous. The place in Pittsburg sounds fabulous! XO, Pinky PS, Happy new year!!!!

Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home said...

Beautiful! No, unfortunately no tapestries, but I do love them!

Tardevil said...

They are gorgeous. Seems like I remember standing in awe of a few at the Biltmore House. It just amazes me how stylish people were 100 years ago, given their living conditions/before advanced transportation. People will probably say the same of us in the next century. What a nice souvenir you were able to bring home.

The enchanted home said...

Beautiful....that Veranda magazine picture has been a long time favorite of mine and if I were to ever buy one, I would want it to look exactly like that one:) Your framed cartoon is stunning, and fits right into your elegant and beautiful home!

Honey at 2805 said...

What fabulous tapestries. They are all so beautiful! I have one purchased in Greece. I call it a tapestry, they called it a rug...

Robin@DecoratingTennisGirl said...

Does Carole King's album "Tapestry" count??? lol I don't have any pieces, but they are so wonderful. Full of history and so interesting to look at.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I can't wait for the giveaway! I love transferware! Tapetries are wonderful, aren't they!

Designs on 47th Street said...

Beautiful tapestries. You and your mother must have had such fun together. I do love them but do not have one in my home.

I do know that I have "mouse in hand" ready to sign up for your exciting giveaway!! :) :)

Donna

Jan@southernjunkin' said...

Beautiful tapestries and wonderful tour! No, no tapestry hanging in home :(
Thanks for sharing!

Richard Cottrell said...

Ms. Allison, first off, Happy New Year. I love tapestries, but the only ones I really buy are needlepoint. But, I sure admire them all. See ya soon. Richard from My Old Historic House.

FABBY'S LIVING said...

I love tapestries as art work. We had one oriental with beautiful oriental ladies with parasols in it, at a big wall of our past home, but it got all rotted in parts of it, so that was it. I love them thogh and the ones you shared are gorgeous.
Happy Kings Day!
FABBY

laxsupermom said...

So beautiful! I love the texture and warmth that tapestries give to a room. Love the cartoon you brought back with you! Thanks for sharing.

The French Hutch said...

Hi Alison, Wow, saw so many tapestries while traveling and I love them, sure wish I had one. I've got a great place in the foyer just waiting for the right one. I know you enjoyed your trip home for the holidays and what a treat your Mom had in store, to Artifacts. I'm sure its an amazing place.
Wishing you and yours the best for the New Year.

Emily
The French Hutch

Barbara Bussey {The Treasured Home} said...

Hello Princess, I have a wanna-be tapestry that's machine made in my shop. I wish it was the real thing! Your cartoon is gorgeous and a wonderful find! You're a lucky girl!

Karena said...

Alison I have a pillow with a piece of antique tapestry incorporated into it. Deborah from Acquired Objects sent it to me!

Do come and join my Giveaway from Serena & Lily!

xoxo
Karena

Art by Karena

Anonymous said...

I love tapestries. I have three of them in my home. My favorite one shows a beautiful reflection of a large estate in a lake. I bought it at a local store in Phoenix and thought it was probably some French chateau, but when I looked at the label more closely, I discovered it was of The Biltmore in Asheville, NC. It then became that much more special to me as my father worked at the dairy on the Biltmore Estate in the 1940s! What a find. Thanks for posting more lovely tapestry pictures!

Unknown said...

BEAUTIFUL POST!

The Tuscan Home said...

Alison,
I love all your tapestry features, so pretty. I really like the one you got in France, it looks stunning. I don't have any, but you have now opened my eyes, so if I can find one...it will be coming home with me. =)

Thanks for sharing! xo ~Liz