Napoleon
II was
originally worked in bold colors - typical of the era. We
chose to reproduce the actual shades of this needlepoint seat
faded from 200 years of use. The yellow outline was originally
stitched with silk. The now pistachio background was a shocking
chartreuse and the red much louder. The background color may
be changed to navy black or wine - depending on personal preferences.
We
add extra canvas to fit this design to any size chair
or cushion.This
magnificent needlepoint reproduction may also be used as a
fire screen.
.
A
History of Needlepoint and Tapestries.
Tapestries
became status symbols amongst the aristocracy in the Middle
Ages. They also had much practical use - providing insulation
for castle walls - covering openings and giving privacy around
beds. Kings and nobles took them on their travels from castle
to castle for reasons of comfort and prestige. Tapestries
often changed hands after battle - and since the victor*s
door and window openings might be a different size the acquired
hangings might be cut up or even joined to other tapestries.
A tapestry wall-hanging in
your home brings not just interior beauty but also a sense
of history. European weavers have produced these textiles
for centuries - including medieval - renaissance and Arts
and Crafts periods.
Tapestries
have been woven for hundreds of years in diverse cultures.
Both ancient Egyptians and the Incas buried their dead in
tapestry woven clothing. Important civic buildings of the
Greek Empire - including the Parthenon - had walls covered
by them. However it was the French medieval weavers who brought
the craft to fruition.
In
the 13th and 14th centuries the Church recognized the value
of tapestries in illustrating Bible stories to its illiterate
congregations. Few of these have survived. The oldest existing
set is the Apocalypse of St John - six hangings 18 foot high,
totaling 471 foot in length which were woven from 1375 to
1379 in Paris. This was the center of production until the
Hundred Years War ( 1337 - 1453 ) caused the weavers to flee
north via Arras to Flanders ( now Belgium and northern France
).
Medieval
weavers extracted their dyes from plants and insects in a
range of less than twenty colors. For example - red came from
madder - poppies or pomegranates and wood produced blue (
a process that was so profitable in 16th century France that
importing woad from the East was punishable by death ).
Medieval
weavers used working sketches which they freely adapted with
imagination and sometimes humor. By the Renaissance these
had become full-sized working drawings ( cartoons ) which
were rigidly copied by the weavers. Thus tapestries became
mere copies of paintings rather than independent works of
art. In 1515 Raphael was commissioned by the Pope to paint
cartoons for the *Acts of the Apostles* tapestries for the
Sistine Chapel. His introduction of perspective and composition
together with the use of finer yarns dyed with up to 300 color
shades led to the subservience of tapestry to painting for
over 300 years.
Availability:
Usually ships in 2-3 days
European
Customers - may use PayPal above - or the following links
> Chair Seat Cover
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