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.

Wool Wall Decor at NOVICA

Wool and cotton blend wall hangings, 'Faith Duality' (set of 2) - Loomed Cross-Themed 2-Piece Wool and Cotton Wall Hanging Set

Faith Duality, Loomed Cross-Themed 2-Piece Wool and Cotton Wall Hanging Set

Gayane Arushanyan

$34 Wholesale

$34

Evening Cross, Woven Yellow Wool and Cotton Blend Wall Hanging from Armenia

Gayane Arushanyan

$39 Wholesale

$39

Wool and cotton blend wall hangings, 'Cross Facets' (set of 4) - Traditional 4-Piece Cross Wool and Cotton Wall Hanging Set

Cross Facets, Traditional 4-Piece Cross Wool and Cotton Wall Hanging Set

Gayane Arushanyan

$49 Wholesale

$49

Wool and cotton blend wall hangings, 'Water & Fire' (set of 2) - Blue and Red Loomed Cross-Themed 2-Piece Wall Hanging Set

Water & Fire, Blue and Red Loomed Cross-Themed 2-Piece Wall Hanging Set

Gayane Arushanyan

$69 Wholesale

$69

Wool and cotton blend wall hangings, 'Autumn & Spring' (set of 2) - Folk Art Orange and Green 2-Piece Cross Wall Hanging Set

Autumn & Spring, Folk Art Orange and Green 2-Piece Cross Wall Hanging Set

Gayane Arushanyan

$69 Wholesale

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Butterfly Freedom, Wall Tapestry Handmade with 100% Wool and Butterfly Themed

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$74.99

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

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Andean Cholas, Ayacucho Wool Tapestry with Andean Chola Women Motif

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Andean Steps, Handwoven Wool Tapestry in Brown from Peru

Luis Leon

(12)

$84.99 Wholesale

$84.99

Wool and cotton blend wall hangings, 'Devotion Eras' (set of 3) - Cross-Themed 3-Piece Wool and Cotton Blend Wall Hanging Set

Devotion Eras, Cross-Themed 3-Piece Wool and Cotton Blend Wall Hanging Set

Gayane Arushanyan

$89 Wholesale

$89

High Seas, Handwoven Ocean-Themed Wool Tapestry from Peru

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(12)

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$89.99

Mountain Abstraction, Handwoven Earth-Tone Abstract Wool Tapestry from Peru

Luis Leon

(12)

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Roses for You, Floral Themed Wool Tapestry Handloomed in Peru

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(12)

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Haunted Bats, Handmade Bat-Themed Orange and Black Wool Felt Wall Hanging

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$99.99

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$104.99

Wool chain stitch tapestry, 'Abode of Birds II' - Bird-Themed Wool Chain Stitch Tapestry from India

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Abode of Birds II, Bird-Themed Wool Chain Stitch Tapestry from India

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$109.99

Mysterious Tree of Life, Andean Handwoven Nature Theme Tree of Life Tapestry

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$117.99

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(40)

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$127.99

Cantua Vine, Handwoven Cantua Flower Wool Tapestry from Peru

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(12)

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$129.99

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

Luis Leon

(12)

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

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

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$134.99

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

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

Zosimo Laura

(45)

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$139.99

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$144.99

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Nazca, Wool tapestry

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(45)

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Together Again, Chain-Stitched Wool and Cotton Wall Hanging

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$159.99

Sunset Parihuanas, Bird-Themed Handloomed Warm-Toned Wool Tapestry from Peru

Zosimo Laura

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$159.99

Wool tapestry, 'Amazon Macaws' - Handmade Wool Bird Tapestry Wall Hanging

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Amazon Macaws, Handmade Wool Bird Tapestry Wall Hanging

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(12)

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$169.99

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

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

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$174.99

Andean Fish, Fish-Themed Wool Tapestry from Peru

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$174.99

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

David Laura Zanabria

(20)

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$174.99

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

David Laura Zanabria

(20)

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$174.99

Spinning Yarn, Artisan Handwoven Wool Tapestry from the Andes

David Laura Zanabria

(20)

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$174.99

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

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(12)

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$179.99

The Travelers, Handcrafted Cultural Wool Tapestry Wall Hanging

Nilda Amaro Oscanoa

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$179.99

Kashmir Utopia, Chain-Stitched Wool Tapestry with Kashmir Floral Pattern

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$184.99

Harmony with Nature, Indian-Made Traditional Crimson Wool Chain-Stitched Tapestry

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$184.99

Llama Herdsman, Llama Themed Wall Tapestry

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(12)

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$187.99

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

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(45)

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$187.99

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

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(45)

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$189.99

Hands of the Spirit, Hand Woven Wool Tapestry from Peru

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Hummingbird Geometry, Hummingbird Motif Geometric Wool Tapestry from Peru

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(20)

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

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

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(13)

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$189.99

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

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(52)

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$197.99

Wool tapestry, 'Inca Worlds' - Geometric Wool Tapestry from Peru

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Inca Worlds, Geometric Wool Tapestry from Peru

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(45)

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$199.99

Wool tapestry, 'Floral Bouquet' - Floral Motif Wool Tapestry from Peru

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Floral Bouquet, Floral Motif Wool Tapestry from Peru

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(12)

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$199.99

Inca Almanac, Wool tapestry

Nilda Amaro Oscanoa

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$199.99

Two Toucans, Hand Made Wool Tapestry from Peru

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(13)

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$199.99

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

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(40)

$206.99 Wholesale

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Amazon Glory, Hand Made Wool Tapestry

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(12)

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$207.99

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

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(20)

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

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Swallows Come Home, Joyful Bird-Themed Handwoven Wool Tapestry

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Brown Birds in Eden, Andean Wool Tapestry in Browns Handwoven with Birds

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(52)

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

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

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(13)

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$214.99

Wool tapestry, 'Peruvian Coast' - Wool tapestry

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(20)

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$214.99

Wool tapestry, 'Women Picking Flowers' - Floral Wool Tapestry Wall Hanging

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Women Picking Flowers, Floral Wool Tapestry Wall Hanging

Nilda Amaro Oscanoa

(13)

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$217.99

Abode of Birds I, Hand Crafted Indian Chain Stitch Tapestry

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(44)

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$219.99

Park of Culture, Hand Woven Tapestry from Peru

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(12)

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$219.99

Autumn in the North, Andes Handwoven Wool Tapestry of a Landscape

Luis Leon

(12)

$219.99 Wholesale

$219.99

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

Zosimo Laura

(45)

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$224.99

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

Cerapio Vallejo

(52)

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$229.99

United Toucans, Modern Bird-Themed Brown and Pink Wool Blend Tapestry

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(45)

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

Eliazar Ochoa

(40)

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$239.99

Wool tapestry, 'Bridge of Entry' - Wool tapestry

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Bridge of Entry, Wool tapestry

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(13)

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$239.99

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

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The Return, Hand Crafted Cultural Wool Tapestry of the Andes

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(13)

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

Eliazar Ochoa

(40)

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$247.99

Origin and Fauna, Animal-Themed Loomed Wool Tapestry in Red Hues

Eliazar Ochoa

(40)

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$247.99

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

Eliazar Ochoa

(40)

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$247.99

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

Eliazar Ochoa

(40)

$247.99 Wholesale

$247.99

Wool tapestry, 'Warm Symmetry' - Geometric Handwoven Inca Wool Tapestry

Warm Inca Symmetry, Geometric Handwoven Inca Wool Tapestry

Eliazar Ochoa

(40)

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$249.99

Sweet Flowers, Floral Wool Tapestry from Peru

Eliazar Ochoa

(40)

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$249.99

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

Eliazar Ochoa

(40)

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$254.99

Tree of Life, Tapestry Handcrafted Birds Wall Hanging

Eliazar Ochoa

(40)

$259.99 Wholesale

$259.99

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

Eliazar Ochoa

(40)

$259.99 Wholesale

$259.99

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

Francisco Huaynate Paucar

(9)

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$259.99

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

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

Ulloa Family

(31)

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$269.99

Flight, Birds and Butterflies on Multicolor Handloomed Wool Tapestry

Efrain Curi

(22)

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$269.99

Fish and Frogs, Geometric Frog and Fish-Themed Handloomed Wool Tapestry

Zosimo Laura

(45)

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$269.99

The Florists, Peruvian Floral Wool Tapestry Wall Hanging

Cardenas Brothers

(13)

$277.99 Wholesale

$277.99

Flowers to Harvest, Unique Floral Wool Tapestry Wall Hanging

Cardenas Brothers

(13)

$284.99 Wholesale

$284.99

Proud Young Mother, Wool tapestry

Francisco Huaynate Paucar

(9)

$287.99 Wholesale

$287.99

Inca Mandala, Handwoven Wool Mandala Tapestry in Brown from Peru

Luis Leon

(12)

$289.99 Wholesale

$289.99

Blue Mandala, Handwoven Wool Mandala Tapestry in Blue from Peru

Luis Leon

(12)

$289.99 Wholesale

$289.99

Swans at Sunset, Wool Tapestry

Raul Ulloa Baylon

(42)

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$299.99

Wool tapestry, 'Swallows in the Sky' - Andean Artisan Handwoven Blue Wool Tapestry

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Swallows in the Sky, Andean Artisan Handwoven Blue Wool Tapestry

Cerapio Vallejo

(52)

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$319.99

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