The Modern Appeal Of Asian Tapestries
The Modern Appeal Of Asian Tapestries Modern home d?cor enthusiasts are often looking for new and unusual items to add a unique touch to their home accents. Whilst those in the know have often turned to textiles and wall hangings to add that distinct touch very few are aware of one of textile arts? hidden gems: Asian tapestry art.
Asian tapestries enjoyed a brief flurry of interest in Europe from the 17th century onwards, for about 150 years. Reflecting the growing confidence of European nations and their ambitions to conquer the world, these tapestries advertised the exploits of adventurous seafaring nations and helped publicize their travels, successes and conquests.
Known originally as Orientale tapestries they first came to prominence in the 17th century. They represented exotic for off lands like China, often concentrating on unusual items such as fruits and animals not found in Europe. They were designed to provoke audiences and challenge polite Europeans ideas about the world they lived in.
Origins
Their development as an art form can be traced back to the first accounts of Eastern countries from Jesuit missionaries in the 17th century. This sparked an interest in the exotic and unusual cultures of the East …