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.

Brass Wall Decor at NOVICA

Golden Reflections, Decorative Brass Geometric Wall Hanging from India

GlobeIn Collection

(16)

$19.99 Wholesale

$19.99

Brass key chain holder, 'Four Wise Monkeys' - Hand Crafted Monkey Brass Key Chain Holder from India

Bestseller

Four Wise Monkeys, Hand Crafted Monkey Brass Key Chain Holder from India

Khalid Ali

(122)

$25.99 Wholesale

$25.99

Brass wall hooks, 'Solar Majesty' (pair) - Sun-Themed Antique-Finished Brass Wall Hooks from India

Solar Majesty, Sun-Themed Antique-Finished Brass Wall Hooks from India

Khalid Ali

(122)

$25.99 Wholesale

$25.99

Brass key holder, 'Adventurous Elephants' - Key Holder Antiqued Elephants on Copper Plated Brass

Bestseller

Adventurous Elephants, Key Holder Antiqued Elephants on Copper Plated Brass

Khalid Ali

(122)

$27.99 Wholesale

$27.99

Bicycle Race, Bicycle Race Coat or Key Hooks Brass

Khalid Ali

(122)

$27.99 Wholesale

$27.99

Brass wall hooks, 'Scorpion Duo' (pair) - Artisan Crafted Brass Wall Hooks (Pair)

Scorpion Duo, Artisan Crafted Brass Wall Hooks (Pair)

Khalid Ali

(122)

$29.99 Wholesale

$29.99

Helpful Elephant, Antiqued Brass Indian Elephant Theme 3-Hook Coat Rack

Khalid Ali

(122)

$34.99 Wholesale

$34.99

Lion's Roar, Ceramic Coat Rack Painted with Lion Motifs from India

Khalid Ali

(122)

$37.99 Wholesale

$37.99

Prancing Camels, Ceramic Coat Rack Painted with Camel Motifs from India

Khalid Ali

(122)

$37.99 Wholesale

$37.99

St. Benedict Medal, Onyx Decennary Rosary with Resin-Coated St. Benedict Medal

Omayra Jaramillo

(7)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99

Wood key holders, 'Flying Secrets' (set of 2) - Set of 2 Hand-Painted Bird-Shaped Pinewood Key Holders

Flying Secrets, Set of 2 Hand-Painted Bird-Shaped Pinewood Key Holders

Maria Estela Perlera de Portillo

(24)

$47.99 Wholesale

$47.99

Playful Monkey, Recycled Paper Monkey Wall Art Sculpture Crafted by Hand

Somyot Sawasdee

(19)

$49.29 Wholesale

~~$57.99~~ $49.29

Handy Home, Hand-Painted Naïf-Inspired Beechwood Key Rack from Armenia

Suren Hakobyan

$50.15 Wholesale

~~$59~~ $50.15

N Feathers, Artisan-Made Bird Alphabet-Themed Paper Letter N Wall Accent

Lilia Tonakanyants

$50.15 Wholesale

~~$59~~ $50.15

D Feathers, Handcrafted Bird Alphabet-Themed Paper Letter D Wall Accent

Lilia Tonakanyants

$50.15 Wholesale

~~$59~~ $50.15

T Feathers, Bird Alphabet-Themed Paper Letter T Wall Accent from Armenia

Lilia Tonakanyants

$50.15 Wholesale

~~$59~~ $50.15

M Feathers, Fair Trade Bird Alphabet-Themed Paper Letter M Wall Accent

Lilia Tonakanyants

$50.15 Wholesale

~~$59~~ $50.15

K Feathers, Traditional Bird Alphabet-Themed Paper Letter K Wall Accent

Lilia Tonakanyants

$50.15 Wholesale

~~$59~~ $50.15

A Feathers, Fair Trade Bird Alphabet-Themed Paper Letter A Wall Accent

Lilia Tonakanyants

$50.15 Wholesale

~~$59~~ $50.15

Monstera, High-Polished Round Brass Monstera Leaf Wall Art

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

$50.96 Wholesale

~~$59.95~~ $50.96

Banana, High-Polished Round Brass Banana Leaf Wall Art

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

$50.96 Wholesale

~~$59.95~~ $50.96

Noble Tree of Life, High-Polished Nature-Themed Round Brass Wall Art

Far Fetched Jewelry

(39)

$50.96 Wholesale

~~$59.95~~ $50.96

Spooky Wings, Handmade Raven-Themed Black Wool Felt Wall Accent with Bells

Rajesh Gehlot

(68)

$59.99 Wholesale

$59.99

Sunlit Village, Yellow and Grey Village Pinewood Letter and Key Holder

God's Seed

(67)

$64.99 Wholesale

$64.99

Ganesha's Enigma, Ganesha-Themed Brass Wall Accent

Rahul Jain

(43)

$64.99 Wholesale

$64.99

Heaven's Blossom, Green and White Floral Brass Wall Art from Uzbekistan

Qosimov Jasur

$65.45 Wholesale

~~$77~~ $65.45

Blue Paradise Drops, Geometric Blue and Black Brass Wall Art with Drop Motifs

Qosimov Jasur

$71.40 Wholesale

~~$84~~ $71.40

Antique White, White Rustic Wall Mirror with Brass Inlay

Rita Addo Zakour

(273)

$89.99 Wholesale

$89.99

Mountain Eagle, Armenian Folk Art Eagle-Themed Framed Paper Wall Accent

Lilia Tonakanyants

$92.65 Wholesale

~~$109~~ $92.65

Antique Blue, Handcrafted Wall Mirror in Rustic Blue with Brass Inlay

Rita Addo Zakour

(273)

$94.99 Wholesale

$94.99

Pink Diamonds, Diamond Motif Brass and Sese Wood Mirror from Ghana

Rita Addo Zakour

(273)

$99.99 Wholesale

$99.99

Golden Staccato, Hand-crafted Brass Stud Mosaic Wall Mirror from India

Kamal

(132)

$101.99 Wholesale

~~$119.99~~ $101.99

Working Hard, Original African Wood Wall Accent of Pregnant Woman

Musah Abdallah

(5)

$109.99 Wholesale

$109.99

Precious Devotion, Artisan-Made Folk Art Cross Paper Wall Accent from Armenia

Lilia Tonakanyants

$118.15 Wholesale

~~$139~~ $118.15

Folk Devotion, Traditional Cross-Themed Blue and White Paper Wall Accent

Lilia Tonakanyants

$118.15 Wholesale

~~$139~~ $118.15

In Perfect Shape, Handcrafted Sese Wood and Brass Wall Mirror

Emmanuel Nyadedzor

(60)

$139.99 Wholesale

$139.99

Colorful Diamonds, Sese Wood Aluminum and Brass Wall Mirror from Ghana

Rita Addo Zakour

(273)

$149.99 Wholesale

$149.99

Delhi Fantasy, Embossed Metals and Wood Wall Mirror Handcrafted in India

Khalid Ali

(122)

$149.99 Wholesale

$149.99

Kumbu II, Hand-Painted Wood Wall Art with Embossed Aluminum & Brass

Ali Ibrahim

(5)

$159.99 Wholesale

$159.99

Merchant's Journey, Traditional Painted Round Brass Wall Art from Uzbekistan

Qosimov Jasur

$167.45 Wholesale

~~$197~~ $167.45

Mirror, 'Rapture' (medium) - Handmade Repousse Brass Nickel Mirror (Medium)

Rapture, Handmade Repousse Brass Nickel Mirror (Medium)

Khalid Ali

(122)

$169.99 Wholesale

$169.99

Kumbu I, African Wood Wall Art with Embossed Aluminum & Brass Accents

Ali Ibrahim

(5)

$174.99 Wholesale

$174.99

Mirror, 'Treasure Chest' - Collectible Repousse Brass Wall Mirror

Bestseller

Treasure Chest, Collectible Repousse Brass Wall Mirror

Khalid Ali

(122)

$199.99 Wholesale

$199.99

Romance in Bukhara, Traditional Romantic Hand-Painted Round Brass Wall Art

Qosimov Jasur

$201.45 Wholesale

~~$237~~ $201.45

Circling Pyramids, Antiqued Embossed Brass Circular Wall Mirror from India

Khalid Ali

(122)

$219.99 Wholesale

$219.99

Luxury, Fair Trade Mirror Hand Craftd Repousse Brass Nickel

Khalid Ali

(122)

$227.99 Wholesale

$227.99

Stars, Antique Silver India Repoussé Nickel Over Brass Wall Mirror

Khalid Ali

(122)

$234.99 Wholesale

$234.99

Memories Beckon, Repousse Brass Wall Mirror and Frame

Khalid Ali

(122)

$239.99 Wholesale

$239.99

Perfection, Repoussé Wall Mirror with Hammered Copper Frame

Khalid Ali

(122)

$244.99 Wholesale

$244.99

Treasure, Mirror

Khalid Ali

(122)

$244.99 Wholesale

$244.99

Mirror, 'Elegance' - Nickel On Brass Glass Inlay Wall Mirror 23x23 In

Bestseller

Elegance, Nickel On Brass Glass Inlay Wall Mirror 23x23 In

Khalid Ali

(122)

$247.99 Wholesale

$247.99

Mirror, 'Rapture' (large) - Mirror (Large)

Rapture, Mirror (Large)

Khalid Ali

(122)

$247.99 Wholesale

$247.99

Tranquility, Handcrafted Brass on Wood Wall Mirror

Khalid Ali

(122)

$257.99 Wholesale

$257.99

Palace Window, Repousse Brass Nickel Mirror Wall Artisan Crafted

Khalid Ali

(122)

$264.99 Wholesale

$264.99

Mirror, 'Crown Jewels' - Octagonal Wall Mirror Copper Nickel Handmade in India

Coming back

Crown Jewels, Octagonal Wall Mirror Copper Nickel Handmade in India

Khalid Ali

(122)

$267.99 Wholesale

$267.99

Ebony Jewels, Teak mirror

Khalid Ali

(122)

$269.99 Wholesale

$269.99

Embossed brass wall mirror, 'Floral Thoughts' - Mango Wood and Brass Wall Mirror with Floral Details

Coming back

Floral Thoughts, Mango Wood and Brass Wall Mirror with Floral Details

Khalid Ali

(122)

$274.99 Wholesale

$274.99

Celebration, Brass Repoussé Mirror Artistmade With Glass Gems

Khalid Ali

(122)

$277.99 Wholesale

$277.99

Antique Scarlet, Ghana Artisan Crafted Rustic Wall Mirror in Red

Rita Addo Zakour

(273)

$279.99 Wholesale

$279.99

Golden Floral Cloud, Golden Repoussé Wall Mirror Handmade in India

Khalid Ali

(122)

$289.99 Wholesale

$289.99

Autumn Warmth, Repoussé Copper Mirror India Ceramic Wall Art Handmade

Khalid Ali

(122)

$314.99 Wholesale

$314.99

The Angel and the Stars, Artisan Crafted Pine Wood Wall Panel with Sun and Moon

Chico Mendoza

(8)

$314.99 Wholesale

$314.99

Welcome!

New Wishlist

Unique Gifts

Curated Gift Boxes

Build Your Own Gift Sets

Express Gifts

Gift Cards

Special Collections

Women's Jewelry

Men's Jewelry

Materials

Collections

Popular & New

Women's Clothing

Women's Accessories

Men's Fashion

Handbags

Seasonal Collections

Home Accessories

Home Furnishings

Kitchen and Dining

Decor Collections

Special Collections

Discipline

Subject Matter

Color Themes

Special Collections

Explore, Empower, Impact

Call 1-877-266-8422

Brass Wall Decor

Related Categories

Unique Finds

The Village Council

Featured Reviews

Khalid Ali Embossed brass art

The Summer Catalog