How do I care for my tapestry?

As with any work of art, direct sunlight will fade colors over time, especially for tapestries with natural dyes. We recommend hanging your tapestry in an area that avoids direct sun exposure to maintain vibrancy. To clean your woven tapestry, use a vacuum with an upholstery attachment or dry clean if necessary. Spot treatment can also be used with a gentle fabric cleaner, but we recommend testing it on a small area first. Alternatively, you may hand wash your tapestry using cold water, then hang it to dry in the shade. Some tapestries made from cotton fabric may be machine washed on cold.

What are the most common materials used to make tapestries?

When it comes to handcrafted traditional tapestries, the most common materials include wool, cotton, silk, and natural dyes. Certain regions incorporate unique materials or designs into their tapestries. In the Andes, alpaca fiber is commonly used. In India, one finds batik printed cotton. In Mexico and Central America sheep wool and natural cotton threads are frequently used. In Thailand, rich silk material is a feature of handmade tapestries.

What makes a tapestry eco-friendly?

To craft an eco-friendly tapestry, traditional artisans hold themselves to high standards, both in terms of materials and processes. Natural fibers, textiles, and dyes are derived from plants and trees. Some artisans even incorporate recycled or upcycled materials in their commitment to eco-friendly processes. Traditional art forms that are passed down through the generations are often painstakingly made by hand. They are naturally eco-friendly, as they avoid mass production, factory runoff, and industrial waste. This also means that each tapestry is uniquetruly one of a kind.

Are tapestries a good way to insulate a room?

When it comes to tapestries, function meets style! A handmade tapestry can be a great way to brighten up any living space while providing insulation against the cold. Materials like alpaca and sheep wool create natural warmth by trapping cool air inside the cloth, creating a more stable temperature within the room.

Are tapestries handmade?

While factory-produced tapestries are increasingly available to consumers, traditional, authentic tapestries are handmade by artisans who often learn the artform from older generations. Skilled makers from the Andes, India, Mexico and Thailand make use of foot-treadle or backstrap looms, where they interweave warp and weft threads and then tamp them down into a tight stitch. An artisan may finish a handmade tapestry by using a needle and thread or a sewing machine for final touches.

What are the most popular tapestry designs?

Traditional tapestries depict scenes and images which are drawn from the lives and natural environments of the artisans who craft them. Some include geometric designs, like the mandala, which is thought to represent wholeness and symmetry. Others make use of paisley, floral, or leafy patterns, particularly in tapestries from India. Central American tapestries may incorporate geometric motifs, animals, and people, while Mexican tapestries are often colorful with Greca patterns and designs. Thai artisans use symbols that are popular within Thai culture, religious characters, animal scenes, or depictions of human forms. Unique tapestries from the Andes are often vibrant with elaborate scenes that incorporate folklore, village life, and pastoral existence.

What are traditional methods of making tapestries?

The methods for making tapestries vary as widely as the regions from which they come. Because many traditional artisans adopt the methods of their ancestors, they have kept those ancient artforms alive and well. In the Andes, weavers often work on a wooden treadle loom in which they use foot pedals, called treadles, to control the weave of the tapestry. In Central America, the treadle loom and the backstrap loom are both integral to tapestry art. The backstrap loom is one of the oldest techniques which dates back thousands of years, in which one part of the loom is attached to the weaver and the other part is attached to a fixed object (historically, a tree). To create vibrant color, artisans embroider and dye their tapestries with natural plants and pigments. Around the world, weavers use tie-dye, Dabu (the application of wax or gum clay and resin to the cloth to create a diffuse color effect), Batik (an ancient method in which dye-resistant wax is applied to cloth to create select patterns of color), hand embroidery, and patchwork to create unique and diverse tapestry art.

Where did tapestries originate?

The tapestry is an ancient textile art form that dates back thousands of years to early civilizations in Peru, Egypt, and Thailand. In Peru, skilled weavers used colorful camelid fiber threads to create beautiful tapestries for ritualistic funeral mantles. Ancient Incas wove short tunics (Unku) to show importance and social status. Ancient Egyptians crafted shroud-like tapestries to bury their dead. Tapestries gained international prominence when Europeans began to decorate their castles and churches with elaborate textiles that depicted historical scenes, as well as religious messages. Today, skilled artisans preserve the ancient techniques of their ancestors. In Thailand, for example, silk weavers are renowned for techniques that have been used since the rule of the Angkor kings circa 800 A.D. In Central America, contemporary weavers pay homage to early Mayan artisans who used plants, shells, and even snails to color their first tapestries in the 15th century. In India, where some of the first tapestries were made and the textile industry became the base of their economy, the skills of generations past still live on in modern artisans.

Tapestries Multicolor at NOVICA

Abode of Birds I, Hand Crafted Indian Chain Stitch Tapestry

Amit Moza

(44)

$134.99 Wholesale

$134.99

Wool tapestry, 'Refreshing Jungle' - Handwoven Blue Wool Tapestry of Natural Landscape from Peru

Coming back

Refreshing Jungle, Handwoven Blue Wool Tapestry of Natural Landscape from Peru

Eliazar Ochoa

(40)

$435.09 Wholesale

~~$457.99~~ $435.09

Childhood Dream, Fringed Bird-Themed Wool Tapestry Hand-Woven in Peru

David Laura Zanabria

(20)

$183.03 Wholesale

~~$207.99~~ $183.03

Tribal IV, Handwoven Andean Wool Blend Tapestry with Geometric Motifs

Cerapio Vallejo

(52)

$290.39 Wholesale

~~$329.99~~ $290.39

Roses for You, Floral Themed Wool Tapestry Handloomed in Peru

Luis Leon

(12)

$89.99 Wholesale

~~$99.99~~ $89.99

Solar Flares, Handcrafted Wool Tapestry from Peru

Luis Leon

(12)

$93.49 Wholesale

~~$109.99~~ $93.49

Hands of the Spirit, Hand Woven Wool Tapestry from Peru

David Laura Zanabria

(20)

$161.49 Wholesale

~~$189.99~~ $161.49

Floral Bouquet, Floral Motif Wool Tapestry from Peru

Luis Leon

(12)

$169.99 Wholesale

~~$199.99~~ $169.99

Inca Trinity, Hand Loomed Alpaca Tapestry with Inca Theme

David Laura Zanabria

(20)

$331.49 Wholesale

~~$389.99~~ $331.49

Dance of the Birds, Hand Woven Bird Motif Tapestry

Teofilo Choquecahua

(3)

$359.99 Wholesale

~~$399.99~~ $359.99

Andean Monkeys, Hand-Woven Wool Tapestry with Monkey Motifs From Peru

Zosimo Laura

(45)

$202.49 Wholesale

~~$224.99~~ $202.49

Park of Culture, Hand Woven Tapestry from Peru

Luis Leon

(12)

$186.99 Wholesale

~~$219.99~~ $186.99

Rainbow Alphabet, Wool Geometric Tapestry Wall Hanging (5x4)

David Laura Zanabria

(20)

$331.19 Wholesale

~~$367.99~~ $331.19

Inca Almanac, Wool tapestry

Nilda Amaro Oscanoa

(13)

$179.99 Wholesale

~~$199.99~~ $179.99

Handwoven alpaca blend tapestry, 'Chakana Sunset' - Hand Woven Alpaca Tapestry With Chakana Design Lima Peru

Coming back

Chakana Sunset, Hand Woven Alpaca Tapestry With Chakana Design Lima Peru

Inka

(3)

$107.99 Wholesale

~~$119.99~~ $107.99

Wool tapestry, 'Andean Cholas' - Ayacucho Wool Tapestry with Andean Chola Women Motif

Coming back

Andean Cholas, Ayacucho Wool Tapestry with Andean Chola Women Motif

Gerardo Fernandez

(1)

$71.99 Wholesale

~~$79.99~~ $71.99

Andean Mantle, Traditional Andean Wool and Cotton Tapestry Woven in Peru

Zosimo Laura

(45)

$159.79 Wholesale

~~$187.99~~ $159.79

Wool tapestry, 'Inca Testimony' - Inca-Inspired Handloomed Colorful Wool Tapestry from Peru

Coming back

Inca Testimony, Inca-Inspired Handloomed Colorful Wool Tapestry from Peru

Eliazar Ochoa

(40)

$242.24 Wholesale

~~$254.99~~ $242.24

Alpaca blend tapestry, 'Fruit of the Sea' - Handwoven Multicolored Alpaca Blend Fish Tapestry from Peru

Coming back

Fruit of the Sea, Handwoven Multicolored Alpaca Blend Fish Tapestry from Peru

Inka

(3)

$125.79 Wholesale

~~$147.99~~ $125.79

Chakana Seahorses, Seahorse Inca Chakana Cross-Themed Handwoven Wool Tapestry

Zosimo Laura

(45)

$170.99 Wholesale

~~$189.99~~ $170.99

Wool and cotton blend tapestry, 'Hummingbird Route' - Artisan-Made Wool and Cotton Hummingbird Tapestry from Peru

Coming back

Hummingbird Route, Artisan-Made Wool and Cotton Hummingbird Tapestry from Peru

Zosimo Laura

(45)

$132.99 Wholesale

~~$139.99~~ $132.99

Inca Portal, Handwoven Geometric Wool Tapestry in Cool Shades from Peru

Luis Leon

(12)

$110.49 Wholesale

~~$129.99~~ $110.49

Birds in the Andes, Nature-Inspired Bird-Themed Handloomed Wool Tapestry

Eliazar Ochoa

(40)

$229.49 Wholesale

~~$254.99~~ $229.49

Orchard Ducks, Handwoven Duck and Flower-Themed Fuchsia Wool Tapestry

David Laura Zanabria

(20)

$153.99 Wholesale

~~$174.99~~ $153.99

The Gallant Rooster, Handwoven Traditional Rooster-Themed Fuchsia Wool Tapestry

David Laura Zanabria

(20)

$153.99 Wholesale

~~$174.99~~ $153.99

Alpaca blend tapestry, 'Cry of the Andes' - Handloomed Traditional Geometric Alpaca Blend Tapestry

Coming back

Cry of the Andes, Handloomed Traditional Geometric Alpaca Blend Tapestry

Rosa Pariona

$493.99 Wholesale

~~$519.99~~ $493.99

Andean Women, Handloomed Colorful Modern Andean Wool Tapestry from Peru

Zosimo Laura

(45)

$123.24 Wholesale

~~$144.99~~ $123.24

Birds of the Blue Valley, Bird-Themed Handloomed Blue Wool Tapestry Made in Peru

Eliazar Ochoa

(40)

$210.79 Wholesale

~~$247.99~~ $210.79

Bird Fauna, Bird-Themed Handloomed Blue Andean Wool Tapestry from Peru

Eliazar Ochoa

(40)

$114.74 Wholesale

~~$134.99~~ $114.74

Hummingbird Tree, Colorful Handwoven Andean Wool Tapestry with Bird Motifs

Cerapio Vallejo

(52)

$296.99 Wholesale

~~$329.99~~ $296.99

Tribal II, Handwoven Geometric-Themed Andean Wool Blend Tapestry

Cerapio Vallejo

(52)

$593.99 Wholesale

~~$659.99~~ $593.99

Inca Geometry, Hand-Woven Wool Wall Tapestry with Inca and Geometric Motifs

Eliazar Ochoa

(40)

$215.99 Wholesale

~~$239.99~~ $215.99

Birds in Nature, Hand-Woven Wool Wall Tapestry with Bird Floral & Tree Motifs

Eliazar Ochoa

(40)

$223.19 Wholesale

~~$247.99~~ $223.19

Wool and cotton blend tapestry, 'Owl Night' - Owl-Themed Handloomed Black Wool and Cotton Blend Tapestry

Bestseller

Owl Night, Owl-Themed Handloomed Black Wool and Cotton Blend Tapestry

Zosimo Laura

(45)

$118.79 Wholesale

~~$134.99~~ $118.79

Wool tapestry, 'Collection of the Inca' - Handloomed Geometric Wool Tapestry in Warm Hues Made in Peru

Coming back

Collection of the Inca, Handloomed Geometric Wool Tapestry in Warm Hues Made in Peru

Eliazar Ochoa

(40)

$218.49 Wholesale

~~$229.99~~ $218.49

Swallows, Bird-Themed Floral Handloomed 100% Wool Tapestry from Peru

Eliazar Ochoa

(40)

$223.19 Wholesale

~~$247.99~~ $223.19

Hummingbird Passage in Brown, Handwoven Bird-Themed Brown Wool and Cotton Blend Tapestry

Cerapio Vallejo

(52)

$305.99 Wholesale

~~$359.99~~ $305.99

Hummingbird Passage in Blue, Handwoven Bird-Themed Blue Wool and Cotton Blend Tapestry

Cerapio Vallejo

(52)

$305.99 Wholesale

~~$359.99~~ $305.99

Civilizations, Handwoven Geometric Traditional Wool and Cotton Tapestry

Cerapio Vallejo

(52)

$305.99 Wholesale

~~$359.99~~ $305.99

Tree of Joy, Bird-Themed Wool and Cotton Blend Tapestry from Peru

Cerapio Vallejo

(52)

$530.99 Wholesale

~~$589.99~~ $530.99

Wool blend tapestry, 'Andean Owls' - Wool Blend Tapestry of Andean Owls Hand-Woven in Peru

Bestseller

Andean Owls, Wool Blend Tapestry of Andean Owls Hand-Woven in Peru

Zosimo Laura

(45)

$166.24 Wholesale

~~$174.99~~ $166.24

World Peace Llamero, Wool Tapestry of Man with Llamas Hand-Woven in Peru

Luis Leon

(12)

$161.99 Wholesale

~~$179.99~~ $161.99

Cool Inca Symmetry, Geometric Handwoven Inca Wool Tapestry in Cool Palette

Eliazar Ochoa

(40)

$195.49 Wholesale

~~$229.99~~ $195.49

Sowing Honesty, World Peace Project Handloomed Alpaca Tapestry with Doves

Teofilo Choquecahua

(3)

$1392.29 Wholesale

~~$1637.99~~ $1392.29

Abode of Birds III, Indian Hand-embroidered Tapestry with Birds on Tree Motif

Amit Moza

(44)

$139.99 Wholesale

$139.99

Love in Flight, Alpaca Blend Handwoven Tapestry with Bird and Heart

Inka

(3)

$118.99 Wholesale

~~$139.99~~ $118.99

Indigenous Girl in Spring, Alpaca Blend Hand Woven Tapestry of Indigenous Girl

Inka

(3)

$106.24 Wholesale

~~$124.99~~ $106.24

Natural Beauty, Large Wool Nature-Themed Tapestry

Raul Ulloa Baylon

(42)

$441.99 Wholesale

~~$519.99~~ $441.99

Andean Rhythm, Alpaca Wool Tapestry from Peru

Teofilo Choquecahua

(3)

$359.99 Wholesale

~~$399.99~~ $359.99

Andean Musicians, Hand-loomed 100% Alpaca Tapestry from Peru

Teofilo Choquecahua

(3)

$359.99 Wholesale

~~$399.99~~ $359.99

Family Colors, Multicolored Hand Woven Alpaca Tapestry

Teofilo Choquecahua

(3)

$322.99 Wholesale

~~$379.99~~ $322.99

Marine Life, Fish Theme Hand-loomed 100% Alpaca Tapestry from Peru

Teofilo Choquecahua

(3)

$322.99 Wholesale

~~$379.99~~ $322.99

Sweet Flowers, Floral Wool Tapestry from Peru

Eliazar Ochoa

(40)

$212.49 Wholesale

~~$249.99~~ $212.49

Alpaca blend tapestry, 'Stairway of Time' - Hand Woven Alpaca Blend Tapestry

Bestseller

Stairway of Time, Hand Woven Alpaca Blend Tapestry

David Laura Zanabria

(20)

$180.49 Wholesale

~~$189.99~~ $180.49

El Quipu, Artisan Crafted Alpaca Blend Tapestry from Peru

David Laura Zanabria

(20)

$331.49 Wholesale

~~$389.99~~ $331.49

Hummingbird Geometry, Hummingbird Motif Geometric Wool Tapestry from Peru

David Laura Zanabria

(20)

$170.99 Wholesale

~~$189.99~~ $170.99

Inca Worlds, Geometric Wool Tapestry from Peru

Zosimo Laura

(45)

$169.99 Wholesale

~~$199.99~~ $169.99

Birds of the White Valley, Bird-Themed Wool Tapestry from Peru

Eliazar Ochoa

(40)

$220.99 Wholesale

~~$259.99~~ $220.99

Wool tapestry, 'Women's Conversation' - 100% Wool Multi-Color Andean Trio Tapestry

Bestseller

Women's Conversation, 100% Wool Multi-Color Andean Trio Tapestry

Ulloa Family

(31)

$256.49 Wholesale

~~$269.99~~ $256.49

Andean Fish, Fish-Themed Wool Tapestry from Peru

David Laura Zanabria

(20)

$153.99 Wholesale

~~$174.99~~ $153.99

Cantua Vine, Handwoven Cantua Flower Wool Tapestry from Peru

Luis Leon

(12)

$110.49 Wholesale

~~$129.99~~ $110.49

Flight, Birds and Butterflies on Multicolor Handloomed Wool Tapestry

Efrain Curi

(22)

$242.99 Wholesale

~~$269.99~~ $242.99

Wool tapestry, 'Andean Village' - Colorful Handwoven Andean Village Scene Wool Wall Tapestry

Coming back

Andean Village, Colorful Handwoven Andean Village Scene Wool Wall Tapestry

Luis Leon

(12)

$332.49 Wholesale

~~$349.99~~ $332.49

Swallows in the Night, Andean Birds on Black Handwoven Wool Tapestry

Cerapio Vallejo

(52)

$168.29 Wholesale

~~$197.99~~ $168.29

Swallows in the Sky, Andean Artisan Handwoven Blue Wool Tapestry

Cerapio Vallejo

(52)

$287.99 Wholesale

~~$319.99~~ $287.99

Wool tapestry, 'Swallows Come Home' - Joyful Bird-Themed Handwoven Wool Tapestry

Bestseller

Swallows Come Home, Joyful Bird-Themed Handwoven Wool Tapestry

Cerapio Vallejo

(52)

$184.79 Wholesale

~~$209.99~~ $184.79

Red Birds in Eden, Andean Handwoven Wool Tapestry with Birds on Red

Cerapio Vallejo

(52)

$195.49 Wholesale

~~$229.99~~ $195.49

Spinning Yarn, Artisan Handwoven Wool Tapestry from the Andes

David Laura Zanabria

(20)

$157.49 Wholesale

~~$174.99~~ $157.49

A Man Dreams, Handwoven Alpaca Blend Surreal Tapestry from Peru

David Laura Zanabria

(20)

$329.79 Wholesale

~~$387.99~~ $329.79

Woman of the Flowers, Handwoven Cubist Style Andean Wool Tapestry from Peru

Ulloa Family

(31)

$356.99 Wholesale

~~$419.99~~ $356.99

Wool tapestry, 'Harvesting Flowers' - Hand Woven Wool Tapestry

Coming back

Harvesting Flowers, Hand Woven Wool Tapestry

Luis Leon

(12)

$394.24 Wholesale

~~$414.99~~ $394.24

Give Me Five!, Wool tapestry

Leoncio Tinoco

$943.49 Wholesale

~~$1109.99~~ $943.49

Two Toucans, Hand Made Wool Tapestry from Peru

Nilda Amaro Oscanoa

(13)

$179.99 Wholesale

~~$199.99~~ $179.99

Palian Village, Wool tapestry

Francisco Huaynate Paucar

(9)

$424.99 Wholesale

~~$499.99~~ $424.99

Proud Young Mother, Wool tapestry

Francisco Huaynate Paucar

(9)

$244.79 Wholesale

~~$287.99~~ $244.79

Women Picking Flowers, Floral Wool Tapestry Wall Hanging

Nilda Amaro Oscanoa

(13)

$185.29 Wholesale

~~$217.99~~ $185.29

Wool tapestry, 'The Return' - Hand Crafted Cultural Wool Tapestry of the Andes

Coming back

The Return, Hand Crafted Cultural Wool Tapestry of the Andes

Cardenas Brothers

(13)

$215.99 Wholesale

~~$239.99~~ $215.99

Llama Herdsman, Llama Themed Wall Tapestry

Luis Leon

(12)

$159.79 Wholesale

~~$187.99~~ $159.79

Wool tapestry, 'Farm Family in the Sierra' - Hand Made Cultural Wool Tapestry Wall Hanging

Coming back

Farm Family in the Sierra, Hand Made Cultural Wool Tapestry Wall Hanging

Nilda Amaro Oscanoa

(13)

$170.99 Wholesale

~~$189.99~~ $170.99

The Travelers, Handcrafted Cultural Wool Tapestry Wall Hanging

Nilda Amaro Oscanoa

(13)

$161.99 Wholesale

~~$179.99~~ $161.99

Hummingbird Song, Beautiful Fair Trade Wool Tapestry

Cerapio Vallejo

(52)

$305.99 Wholesale

~~$339.99~~ $305.99

Herd of Llamas, Hand Made Llama Themed Wool Tapestry from Peru

Francisco Huaynate Paucar

(9)

$233.99 Wholesale

~~$259.99~~ $233.99

Wool tapestry, 'Bridge of Entry' - Wool tapestry

Coming back

Bridge of Entry, Wool tapestry

Cardenas Brothers

(13)

$215.99 Wholesale

~~$239.99~~ $215.99

Wool tapestry, 'The Harp Player' - Cubist Tapestry Wall Hanging Hand Loomed in Peru

Coming back

The Harp Player, Cubist Tapestry Wall Hanging Hand Loomed in Peru

Nilda Amaro Oscanoa

(13)

$204.24 Wholesale

~~$214.99~~ $204.24

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