tapestries-msg - 10/21/15

Medieval and SCA tapestries.

NOTE: See also the files: looms-msg, velvet-msg, piled-fabrics-msg, silk-msg, linen-msg, lace-msg, weaving-msg, embroidery-msg, cross-stitch-msg.

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    Mark S. Harris                  AKA:  THLord Stefan li Rous
                                          Stefan at florilegium.org
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From: cjcannon at ucdavis.ucdavis.EDU
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: RE:  Wonderful book!!!
Date: 8 Feb 1994 14:26:46 -0500

UCD just acquired this volume, and it's REALLY nice, albeit expensive 
($125.00 cased).  Lots of color illus. and very clear black & white's, as well.  Good references and a 
brief illus. description of the history of tapestry weaving, as well as 
the difference between regular tabby weave vs. tapestry weave.  The 
bibliographical info. follows:

Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.)
  Medieval tapestries in the Metropolitan Museum of Art / Adolfo 
Salvatore Cavallo.
New York : Metropolitan Museum of Art : Dist. by:  H.N. Abrams, 1993.
688 p. : ill. (part. col.) ; 31 cm.
Inc. bibliographical references and index.

Lib. of Congress Card #: 92-15540
ISBN:  0870996444 ; 0810964201 (Abrams)
Lib. of Congress Call #:  NK3005.M48 1993
Dewey #: 746.394/09/020747471

1.  Tapestry, Medieval--Catalogs.  2.  Tapestry--New York 
(N.Y.)--Catalogs.  3. Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.)--Catalogs.
  4. Tapestry, Medieval--History.  I. Cavallo, Adolph S.

Hope the costumers, weavers, etc. among you enjoy it, too.--Carol


From: hrolfr at CAM.ORG (Hrolfr Gertsen-Briand)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Tapestry Suprise
Date: 2 Oct 1994 17:13:19 -0400
Organization: Communications Accessibles Montreal, Quebec Canada

	I have just come across pic's and a reference in Le Guide 
Michelin to something called the Pirou tapestry, located predictably inth 
the Chateaux of Pirou (Contentin peninsula, western normandy. 10km south 
of Lessay, near Coutances.)
	Now, my father is a Norman history nutter, so coming across 
another tapestry like the Bayeux tapestry but dealing with the 
Conquest of Scicily, that he or I had never heard mention of much less 
seen pic's of suprised us. (The lords of Pirou were related to the 
Hauteville family.  Yes, the Hautevilles of the many brothers...) 
	Does anyone have any reference to this work? (or even heard of it?)

	The pics show it to be on the same scale as the B.Tapestry but 
the total length isn't shown.

	Regards, Hrolfr


Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
From: uv591 at freenet.Victoria.BC.CA (Warren R. Edge)
Subject: Re: Bayeux Tapestry
Organization: The Victoria Freenet Association (VIFA), Victoria, B.C., Canada
Date: Thu, 2 Feb 1995 18:33:23 GMT

In a previous article, gray at ibis.cs.umass.edu (Lyle Gray) says:
>KATHLEEN GORMAN (KNGORMAN at ARTSPAS.watstar.uwaterloo.ca) wrote:
>: I've just seen the most amazing thing!  A prof in the French department here 
>: has recreated the Bayeux Tapestry!  In it's original size and as close to 
>: the original in all details as he could get!
>: Does anyone know of anyone who has done something similar?
>
>Not I.
>As close to the original in all details as he could get?  Well, considering
>that the Tapestry was repaired in several places, and that there is conjecture
>that the repairs changed some of the details, wouldn't it be more complete to
>say that it is as close to the original _in_its_current_state_ as he can get?
>
>I've _love_ to have seen the Tapestry before the repairs had been made...
>
>Lyle FitzWilliam

	Actually my lord, the Shire of Seagirt, Kingdom of An Tir (mka
Victoria, BC) has done "The Seagirt Tapestry" using the Bayeaux as a
pattern, and using a very similar, if not (dare I say it [daredare])
recreated stitch.  The Seagirt Tapestry, now considerably longer than the
original Bayeux, has been presented a numerous kingdom events, including
25YC (I believe, it could have been TYC), and written up in _Threads_
magazine.
	If you would like any other information about it, do not hesitate
to contact me about it.  We in the shire, and I dare say An Tir, are very
proud of it.
	Including the purple cow.

	In service to Shire Kingdom and The Dream
		Erasmus the Traveller
		Seneschal, Shire of Seagirt


From: kellogg at ucssun1.sdsu.edu (C. Kevin Kellogg)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Bayeux Tapestry
Date: 6 Feb 1995 22:15:18 GMT
Organization: San Diego State University Computing Services

Warren R. Edge (uv591 at freenet.Victoria.BC.CA) wrote:
: The Seagirt Tapestry, now considerably longer than the
: original Bayeux, has been presented a numerous kingdom events, including
: 25YC (I believe, it could have been TYC), and written up in _Threads_
: magazine.

	It was at TYC, that's where I saw it.  I must admit, it was very
impressive.

		Avenel Kellough


From: iys6lri at mvs.oac.ucla.edu (Lori Iversen)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Bayeux Tapestry
Date: 8 Feb 1995 00:32:43 GMT
Organization: ucla

ekenny at gandalf.ca (Erin Kenny GMSI) says:
[Snip about the Seagirt Tapestry]
>
>Is it an actual tapestry, or technically an embroidery?
>        Claricia / (Erin doesn't know the difference anyway)

Alexis here!

The Bayeaux Tapestry isn't really a tapestry at all; it's more a
really long embroidery (Note to Erin:  the difference is that a
tapestry's designs are *woven in* to the fabric of the piece itself,
while an embroidery is, well, embroidered onto a pre-existing piece
of fabric).  I've never seen the Seagirt Tapestry (my luck; I was
at TFYC, not TYC), but since Mr. Edge (sorry; didn't get your nom
de SCA) says that it's done in the style of the Bayeaux Tapestry,
I would therefore assume that it too is embroidered and not a
proper tapestry at all.

Yet another piece of *Jeopardy* trivia,

Alexis Vladescu                           Lori Iversen
WyvernHo-ette                             (IYS6LRI at mvs.oac.ucla.edu)
Altavia, CAID                             The Valley, CA


From: Phyllis_Gilmore at rand.org (Phyllis Gilmore)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Bayeux Tapestry
Date: Wed, 8 Feb 95 12:59:05 GMT
Organization: RAND

iys6lri at mvs.oac.ucla.edu (Lori Iversen) wrote:
<snip>
>The Bayeaux Tapestry isn't really a tapestry at all; it's more a
>really long embroidery (Note to Erin:  the difference is that a
>tapestry's designs are *woven in* to the fabric of the piece itself,
>while an embroidery is, well, embroidered onto a pre-existing piece
>of fabric).  <snip>

Fun with language time again.  Mileage will *definately* vary on
this--in France (tapisserie) and England (tapestry), the word is
applied to needlepoint as well as to woven hangings.  The common
point I've noticed is that the term is *generally* used to denote
pictures, hangings, or upholstery done in some fiber art or another 
(my Oxford French dictionary includes "embroidery" in the definition).  
And the French folks call that piece of embroidered fabric over in 
Bayeux une tapisserie.

--which is not to be confused with un tapis.  Thou shalt not walk
on the tapisserie --
******************************************
SCA:  Philippa de Ecosse, Lyondemere, Caid  
mka:  Phyllis Gilmore, Santa Monica and Torrance, CA


Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Bayeux Tapestry (1/7 scale reproduction)
From: system at blah.bsu.edu (Matt Stum (SCA: Gwydion ap Myrddin))
Date: Wed,  8 Feb 95 20:43:25 EST
Organization: Ball State University

Greetings!

What with all of the talk about the Bayeux Tapestry, I thought I'd share
with you something that I acquired today...

.. a 1/7 scale color reproduction of the entire tapestry.  It's printed on
paper and in book form... but the pages are not bound to the spine and are
in an accordian fashion.  Thus, you can unfold it and stretch it to
approximately 31 feet!

The printed tapestry is about 3" tall plus borders above and below.  Above
there are "frame numbers".  Below there are descriptions in French,
English, and German.

The paper quality isn't the greatest, but for $15 I'm not gonna complain!
There really isn't any publishing information... the title is simply "La
Tapisserie de Bayeux" and there isn't any other publishing information
other than "Edition Ville de Bayeux" on the inside cover.

I bought it mail-order from a company called "Past Times".  They're based
in Oxford, England and have some great stuff, even if it's a bit pricey.
They have a U.S. "outlet" as well:

Past Times
280 Summer St.
Boston, MA  02210-1182
Telephone orders:  1-800-621-6020 (24 hrs/7 days)
Fax orders:        1-617-451-1167
Enquiries:         1-800-242-1020

Their prices already include the import duties.  If you want to order the
Bayeux Tapestry reproduction, the order number is 2406, the description is
"Bayeux Frieze", and the price is $14.95.  (Shipping and handling is a
fixed $5.95 no matter how much you order, so I usually save up and order a
bunch of stuff at once.)

Just FYI...
Gwydion
-- 
Matt Stum                 Gwydion ap Myrddin Arglwydd     Ball State University
00mjstum at bsuvc.bsu.edu    Shire of Afonlyn, MK            Muncie, IN  USA


From: DUNHAM%EUGLIB at mred.lane.EDU (PATSY DUNHAM)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Seagirt / Bayeux tapestry
Date: 8 Feb 1995 13:37:52 -0500

Although I have not seen it, I did see the color photo in _Threads_
(early 1994 issue ?) and my husband is a close friend of the dear crazy (er,
inspired!) man who started the project, Master Cathal Sean O'Connlon (sic).  

I'm 99.9% sure the Seagirt is an embroidery (as is the Bayeux) in the
exact style of the Bayeux, both artistically as to the design of figures and
tableux, the captions, decorations in upper and lower borders, etc.; and in the 
embroidery stitches used (outlining filled with 3-layer couching--I took an
excellent class years ago from Mistress Janet of Arden, Adiantum, An Tir, on
Bayeux embroidery).  I don't know if the Seagirt kept exactly to the Bayeux
color palette, but the section in the photo indicated they were at least pretty
close.

The subject matter is, appropriately, the founding and subsequent history of
the shire of Seagirt (Victoria BC).  Therefore, tho he's never seen it, my
husband is in it.  One of these days...

--Mistress Chimene des CinqTours, OP, An Tir                            
--Meistari Gerekr fjarsjandi Rognvaldsson, the Farseeing, OP, OL, An Tir
        mka                                                                
  Patricia R. Dunham, Gary Walker       e-mail:dunham%euglib at MRED.LANE.EDU      
                                               gerekr at aol.com
  Eugene OR  USA                        home, machine: 503-688-7210    
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+


From: JARI.JAMES at rook.wa.com (jari james)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Bayeux Tapestry
Date: Thu, 09 Feb 1995 10:17:26 GMT

 -=> Quoting Iys6lri at mvs.oac.ucla.edu to All <=-
 Iy> ekenny at gandalf.ca (Erin Kenny GMSI) says:
 >
 Iy> [Snip about the Seagirt Tapestry]
 >
 >Is it an actual tapestry, or technically an embroidery?
 >        Claricia / (Erin doesn't know the difference anyway)

It's an embroidery done on 'many' linen panels depiction the history of
the Shire of Seagirt.  It is *most* wonderful.  Come to 30YR and see it!

Rowan
Barony of Blatha an Oir
An Tir


Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
From: uv591 at freenet.Victoria.BC.CA (Warren R. Edge)
Subject: Re: Seagirt / Bayeux tapestry
Organization: The Victoria Freenet Association (VIFA), Victoria, B.C., Canada
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 1995 13:55:10 GMT

In a previous article, DUNHAM%EUGLIB at mred.lane.EDU (PATSY DUNHAM) says:
>Although I have not seen it, I did see the color photo in _Threads_
>(early 1994 issue ?) and my husband is a close friend of the dear crazy (er,
>inspired!) man who started the project, Master Cathal Sean O'Connlon (sic).  
	March 1994, pg. 78, m'lady.  I just double-checked that with
Master Cathal.

>I'm 99.9% sure the Seagirt is an embroidery (as is the Bayeux) in the
>exact style of the Bayeux, both artistically as to the design of figures and
>tableux, the captions, decorations in upper and lower borders, etc.; and in the 
>embroidery stitches used (outlining filled with 3-layer couching--I took an
>excellent class years ago from Mistress Janet of Arden, Adiantum, An Tir, on
>Bayeux embroidery).  I don't know if the Seagirt kept exactly to the Bayeux
>color palette, but the section in the photo indicated they were at least pretty
>close.
	It is as you say, m'lady, although the borders are interspaced
with armorial displays of Seagirtians.  As far as the colour goes, well,
er, there have been a couple of notable exceptions....Remember teh purple
cow I mentioned in my original post?  And no, I don't know the story
behind it...

>The subject matter is, appropriately, the founding and subsequent history of
>the shire of Seagirt (Victoria BC).  Therefore, tho he's never seen it, my
>husband is in it.  One of these days...
	I am very certain that any time you wish to visit our fair shire,
we will be more than pleased to bring it out and show you.
	The Tapestry will be out at the various events being held this
year in honour of the Genghis Khan exhibit in Victoria over the summer,
and I know there are plans to take it to 3YC next year.  If you have any
further questions, do not hesitate to contact me.  I will get ahold of
whoever I need to here in the shire to make sure I get the proper answers. 

	In service to Shire Kingdom & The Dream
		Erasmus the Traveller
		Seneschal of Seagirtshire


From: mchance at crl.com (Michael A. Chance)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Embroidery Stitches
Date: 20 Mar 1995 15:44:32 -0800

Mistress Alison writes:
>There's another (more German) style of narrative tapestry work that
>is (I think) 13th c.
...
>The hanging I mention tells the story of Tristan and Isolde.

Is this the tapestry at the abbey in Celle, Germany?  If so, I've had
the opportunity to see it, up close, and it's truly magnificent.

For those who are either in Europe or are planning to be in northern
Germany (near Hannover or Braunschweig/Brunswick) in late May/early
June, the Celle abbey (which is normally not open to visitors, except
for a small gift shop/book store) holds guided tours of its collection
of medieval tapestries for just 10 days each year, starting on
Whitmonday.  None of the nuns giving the tour at the time that we were
there spoke enough English that they could do all of the tour in
English, by they tried their best to give us the important bits.
(And they were patient beyond all belief with a couple of crazy
Americans with a cranky one month old baby.)

Well worth the effort to try to find the time.

Mikjal Annarbjorn
-- 
Michael A. Chance          St. Louis, Missouri, USA    "At play in the fields
Work: mc307a at sw1stc.sbc.com                             of St. Vidicon"
Play: mchance at crl.com


From: ac508 at dayton.wright.EDU (Beverly Roden)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Tapestry Weaving information
Date: 24 Mar 1995 06:17:59 -0500

Greetings to tapestry enthusiasts everywhere from Mistress Alexis MacAlister

I have two nice books on historical tapestries.  The first, The Unicorn
Tapestries, by Margaret B. Freeman published by the Metropolitan Museum
of art thru Dutton.  It has wonderful close up pictures of the Unicorn
Tapestries, along with other, less famous tapestries which include unicorns
in their work.  The back portion of the book gives technical information
on the weaving of the work, including the dyestuffs used for different
colors.  If you are interested in the Unicorn Tapetries, this is a
wonderful book.   Tapestry - Mirror of History by F.P. Thomson, Crown
Publishers (isbn 0-517-534150)  is a greater overview of the history of
tapestry weaving - beginning with Greek and Roman tapestry weaving thru
to modern times (the book was published in 1980).. It has a good section
in the front covering the technical side of tapestry weaving.

I recommend these books for tapestry history, and inspiration for a first
effort.  Start small - make something that you will turn in to a pillow,
and work in a larger format - say 20 e.p.i. - this will give you a project
that you can FINISH!, and still allow you to have the experience of doing
a detailed piece of tapestry.  Get any of those books that you found on
the technical side of tapestry weaving, especially if you have no mundane
weavers guilds in your area.

I would be happy to correspond with you in regard to this topic, and
share sources and information.  Good Luck!

Alexis MacAlister, O.L.

Beverly Roden  ac508 at dayton.wright.edu


From: IVANOR at delphi.com
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Embroidery Stitches
Date: 25 Mar 1995 22:51:03 GMT

Quoting 3cdr from a message in rec.org.sca
   > This isn't embroidery so much as tapestry, I suppose, but I'm finishing
   > one of the 6 (or is it 7?) Senses series, specifically the Lady and the

There are two kinds of tapestry:  Embroidered (surface decorated on plain
woven fabric) and woven (where all the figures are an integral part of the
weave while it's on the loom.)

If you are adding surface work to a plain ground, it is embroidery, even if
it covers entirely, as needlepoint does.
Carolyn Boselli    Host of Custom Forum 35    SCAdians on Delphi
Ive Annor M'Quhairr of Sighty Crag, AoA, Sen. Canton Dragon Forge, EK


From: Phyllis_Gilmore at rand.org (Phyllis Gilmore)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Tapestries
Date: Mon, 18 Dec 95 15:54:05 GMT
Organization: RAND

In Article <4av0eu$kht at newsbf02.news.aol.com>, tedlechman at aol.com
(Tedlechman) wrote:
>I'm in the market to purchase a tapestry for my home of the ars
>nova/renaissance period style. anyone out there make them ?

If I did, you probably couldn't afford it.  

Ahem.  The Toscano catalog folks (the ones who sell gargoyles)
also sell a number of machine-woven copies of tapestries from
a broad assortment of periods.  Several other catalogs (esp.
museum-related ones) also sell tapestries of this general
type.

Be prepared to pay several hundred dollars for anything of
decent size.
******************************************
SCA:  Lady Philippa de Ecosse, Lyondemere, Caid  
mka:  Phyllis Gilmore, Santa Monica and Torrance, CA


From: brettwi at ix.netcom.com(Brett Williams )
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Tapestries
Date: 19 Dec 1995 01:17:01 GMT

In <Phyllis_Gilmore.1169689685B at nntp.rand.org> Phyllis_Gilmore at rand.org
(Phyllis Gilmore) writes: 
>
>Ahem.  The Toscano catalog folks (the ones who sell gargoyles)
>also sell a number of machine-woven copies of tapestries from
>a broad assortment of periods.  Several other catalogs (esp.
>museum-related ones) also sell tapestries of this general
>type.
>
>Be prepared to pay several hundred dollars for anything of
>decent size.
>
>******************************************
>SCA:  Lady Philippa de Ecosse, Lyondemere, Caid  
>mka:  Phyllis Gilmore, Santa Monica and Torrance, CA

My lord husband caught a little news program blurb somewhere in the
depths of CNN around 5 AM one morning-- the Gobelin tapestry works is
very much still in existence doing restoration, recreation and original
tapestries as they've done for a long time.

A largish tapestry from the Works is the price of a modest sized house
in An Tir.

ciorstan


From: Phyllis_Gilmore at rand.org (Phyllis Gilmore)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Tapestries
Date: Mon, 18 Dec 95 17:46:30 GMT
Organization: RAND

In Article <4b53qd$qlq at ixnews2.ix.netcom.com>, brettwi at ix.netcom.com(Brett
Williams ) wrote:

>My lord husband caught a little news program blurb somewhere in the
>depths of CNN around 5 AM one morning-- the Gobelin tapestry works is
>very much still in existence doing restoration, recreation and original
>tapestries as they've done for a long time.
>
>A largish tapestry from the Works is the price of a modest sized house
>in An Tir.
>
Yes, but you cannot buy them.  The factory belongs to the
French government, and its products are normally intended to
go in government buildings or are given as very special
gifts.  When I was there in 1993, they were working on a
commission, though--from another European country as a tribute
to its queen (if memory serves--and it wasn't England, either).

It's a neat place to visit, whenever you're in Paris (you may 
have to make arrangements to join an English-speaking tour group, 
though).  The facility houses both the Gobelin (tapestry) and 
Savonnerie (carpet) works.  The tapestry looms are enormous,
as are the resulting tapestries--and I gather it takes several
years to produce just one (memory fails on exact estimates).

Neither the factory nor any of its products, alas, is period,
but the "innards" look like at least one period drawing I've
seen (don't ask for a source--you all know my memory and my
library by now!).
******************************************
SCA:  Lady Philippa de Ecosse, Lyondemere, Caid  
mka:  Phyllis Gilmore, Santa Monica and Torrance, CA


Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
From: Andrew Lowry <alowry at wchat.on.ca>
Subject: Re: Tapestries
Organization: WorldChat / The Online Source, Burlington Ontario.
Date: Tue, 19 Dec 1995 04:54:56 GMT

I have seen woven tapestries based on various med/ren examples - Bayeux 
Tapestry, Unicorn etc. at a large fabric store in downtown Toronto. They 
looked pretty good but prices are in the 100s of dollars depending upon 
the size. I don't know the manufacturer but I could find out if you 
needed to know. I know that they were made in Europe. My lady is using 
one pattern in uphostery fabric to do two chairs. It is a man with a 
falcon from the Bayeux Tapestry :). 

I would suggest you ask some of the larger fabric stores in your area 
especially ones with European clients / suppliers about tapestries. If 
they don't have them maybe they know where to get them.

Richard Larmer
Ealdormere


From: bj at alpha1.csd.uwm.edu (Barbara Jean Kuehl)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Tapestries
Date: 19 Dec 1995 14:50:17 GMT
Organization: Information & Media Technologies, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

tedlechman at aol.com (Tedlechman) writes:
>I'm in the market to purchase a tapestry for my home of the ars
>nova/renaissance period style. anyone out there make them ?

I'm not sure what kind of tapestry you are looking for or on how
grand a scale, but I saw several tapestries for sale in the
Past Times catalog.  They carry a 44" x 34" reproduction of a 1500
French tapestry, a 4'1" x 2'5" reproduction of a Flemish tapestry,
and a 3'5" x 2'4" reproduction of 1550 Flemish tapestry -- for $295
each.  They also have a 39" x 19" 1885 English tapestry for $175.00.
You can get a catalog from Past Times at 280 Summer Street, Boston,
MA 02210-1182 or trying calling 1-800-242-1020.

I've never ordered from Past Times, but I have heard good things
about them.
					BJ


From: "Jennifer Kubenka" <jkubenka at post.cis.smu.edu>
To: ansteorra at eden.com
Date: Wed, 19 Jun 1996 11:23:02 +0000
Subject: New tapestries book

Good morning, all.

For you tapestries enthusiasts:

Brown, Clifford M. Tapestries for the courts of Federico II, Ercole, and 
Ferrante Gonzaga, 1522-63. Seattle : College Art Association in 
association with University of Washington Press, 1996.  In the series 
Monographs on the fine arts ; v. 52.  ISBN 029597513X 

There is an extensive bibliography at the back.  Unfortunately, 
though, most of the photos are black and white only, with just 11 
color plates.

Lots and lots of historical stuff, though.

Jennifer D. Kubenka (Emher doesn't know anything about cataloging 
books)


From: priest at vassar.edu (Carolyn Priest-Dorman)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Tapestries
Date: 8 Mar 1997 22:31:44 GMT
Organization: Vassar College

Greeting from Thora Sharptooth!

Morgan the Unknown (mesmith at freenet.calgary.ab.ca) asked:
>In the books that I have looked at, most of the tapestries are listed as
>being of silk and wool.
>Which would be the warp and which the weft? or are they mixed?

In the tapestries I have physically handled (four, at the Frances Lehman Loeb 
Art Center of Vassar College), both wool and silk have been used as weft.  
Some used all wool weft, but others were mixed.  Ground warp is sometimes 
linen, sometimes wool.

Catalogue entries for a great many other extant tapestries (particularly those 
at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Cloisters in New York, which I have 
read most closely) confirm what I have seen.  Linen warp was used sometimes, 
and wool warp was used the rest of the time.  Wool weft is used for most of 
the tapestry, and silk is used where sheen or delicacy of texture is needed 
(e.g., armour, flesh, or rich garments).

The size of threads vary; the nicest ones I have handled (a pair of Judith 
tapestries, sixteenth century) used silk weft that is not quite as thick as 
buttonhole twist thread.  The wool was something thicker, perhaps about the 
equivalent of a 20/2 yarn.  Both silk and wool wefts were used in plys, 
generally 2-ply for wools and sometimes 3-ply for silk.  The weft was a 
heavier, undyed, 3- or 4-ply yarn.  Again, this is only what I have 
experienced personally, but it seems to match the information I have read 
about other tapestries.
***********************************************************************
Carolyn Priest-Dorman                      Thora Sharptooth
priest at vassar.edu                          Frostahlid, Austrriki
          Gules, three square weaver's tablets in bend Or
***********************************************************************


Date: Sat, 24 May 1997 20:49:14 -0400 (EDT)
From: Carol at Small Churl Books <scbooks at neca.com>
To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu
Subject: tapestry how-to

Was someone looking for information on how to make tapestries?

Just saw a book which is about the techniques - no history, but a lot on how
to put tapestries together.  "Tapestry Weaving: a comprehensive study guide"
by Nancy Harvey, Interweave Press.

It includes:
1. the basics
2. preparation for weaving
3. basic tapestry weaving techniques
4 - 6 more advanced techniques
7. finishing, mounting, care of tapestries
8. a survey of modern tapestry
9. cartoon planning and preparation
10. summary & comparison of techniques
- also - glossary

Lady Carllein


From: berkleygal at aol.com (BerkleyGal)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: tapestry
Date: 12 Jun 1998 23:34:14 GMT

The Reader's Digest Complete Book of Embroidery has some very nice ones -- both
illustrations (with instructions!) and photographs.  It also talks about the
historical era(s) in which the stitch(es) were developed.  I'm very excited
about learning some of the new techniques shown. :-)

Bright blessings,
Fiona de Bousis
Kingdom of the West (Mists)


Date: Thu, 18 May 2000 03:38:38 EDT
From: <EalasaidS at aol.com>
To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu
Subject: Re: Embroidery Question

HRAFNASDOT at aol.com writes:
> I am doing a Norse based tapestry piece with embroidery/crewel work in wools 
>  - does anyone have a reference on this type, other than the Bayeux Tapestry? 
>  
>  Asa Hrafnasdottir/aka Cynthia Lonsberry
>  Loch Ruadh 

In the National Museum in Reykjavik, Iceland, there are a couple of 
embroideries that use the exact same technique as the Bayeaux Tapestry.  
Interestingly enough, they are dated a couple of hundred years after the 
Bayeaux.  The one I have a picture of is an altar frontal from the cathedral 
at Holar, probably second quarter of the 16th century.  It shows three 
Icelandic Saints in full episcopal vestments and two attendants (angels?) 
swinging censers.  It is laid and couched work in wool.  The colors were 
vibrant!  I was amazed at the difference between the real thing and the 
picture in the museum book.  The book says there are several altar frontals 
worked in laid and couch work, all from the same period - late medieval.

As an interesting note, all the embroideries there were dated to 200 to 400 
years after the technique was popular in Europe.  Wonder if it has something 
to do with trade routes and Iceland's relative isolation?   Or maybe the 
older versions of the same technique just didn't survive.  Too bad the really 
detailed book I got there that discussed the embroideries wasn't available in 
English... <grin>  I'm hoping to find someone who speaks Icelandic...

If it's just embroideries in wools that you are looking for, the Tapestry of 
Creation, on display in the cathedral at Gerona, Spain (consecrated in 1038) 
is worked in colored wool threads.    "Embroidery, A History" by Pamela 
Warner, states that the stitches are hard to identify, but could be split, 
chain or stem stitches.  It is dated to somewhere between mid 11th century to 
early 12th century.

By the 13th century, silk thread seems to have replaced wool threads as the 
embroiderers choice, at least based on the examples in my various embroidery 
history/museum textiles books.

Ealasaid nic Suibhne
Kingdom of Atenveldt


Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2000 14:29:24 -0500
From: Warren & Meredith Harmon <silveroak at juno.com>
To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu
Subject: Re: the Unicorn Tapestries

>Specifically, I have a question re: the tapestry of the
>Unicorn in Captivity.  Near the center and again in the
>upper right hand corner, the initials A and E (backwards)
>are worked.  Does anyone know to what these refer? 

Nobody does, including the experts - unless there's been a development in
the last year that I don't know of!  ;-)  From the book "The Unicorn
Tapestries" by the Metropolitan Museum of Art:

"...the omnipresent A and reversed E joined with a bow may eventually
provide a clue [of ownership].  One theory links the insignia to Anne of
Brittany, twice queen of France, claiming that it represents the first
and last letters of her name, united by her emblem, the _cordelie're_ - a
rope with tight knots spaced at intervals.  The cord, however, is not a
true _cordelie're_, for it lacks the characteristic tight knots and is
instead a _lac_ or simple knot, a popular medieval device."

There are three other major theories....

"Many other explanations for the AE have been proposed, but none can be
proven; the cipher's meaning remains a mystery."

It was meant to indicate an ownership of some sort (personal editorial -
didn't work too well, huh?  ;-p), but we just don't know.  Ciphers were a
medieval way to show ownership by marking everything in sight with your
initials - I've even seen a child bride so "marked" by an enameled
collar!  I have intertwined "C"s on one of my dresses to signify that my
hubby and I are a couple (Corwyn and Carowyn), and it's become
fashionable in our area of the Knowne Worlde to make needlework favors
with a cipher - either the person who made the favor, or the recipient,
or (for those special cases) of initials intertwined or combined.  Fun,
no?

There's even a space on one of the Unicorn tapestries where some
restoration was done, and the initials F and R have replaced the A and E.
 I won't even get into that speculation, but the initials look like an
addition to me.  So, if you're doing an adaptation, you can certainly
delete the initials - but why not just insert your own initials, and let
everyone know it's your own piece?  It's period!  ;-)

-Caro


From: Cynthia Virtue <cvirtue at thibault.org>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Armor for Dogs/Devonshire
Date: Wed, 15 Nov 2000 22:24:42 -0500

> I keep seeing references to this image in the Devonshire Tapestries, but
> I've yet to find a picture of it. Any ideas?

The Devonshire tapestries are at the Victoria & Albert museum in london,
and are the least-reproduced, most-interesting set of medieval
tapestries in existance.  I had to go there during office hours and look
through their photo originals files in order to get decent copies of
them.  The museum does have postcards available, and there is one work
devoted to them, now out of print.
--
Cynthia du PrŽ Argent


Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 14:55:18 -0500 (EST)
From: <jenne at fiedlerfamily.net>
Subject: [SCA-AS] website on the unicorn tapestries
To: Arts and Sciences in the SCA <artssciences at lists.gallowglass.org>,
	<EK_AnS at yahoogroups.com>

Review from LII.ORG:

   The Unicorn Tapestries
   "The Unicorn Tapestries are among the most popular
   attractions at The Cloisters, which houses part of the
   Metropolitan Museum's splendid collection from medieval
   Europe." This site presents detailed images and information
   about the flora, fauna, clothing, and symbolism of these
   seven textile artworks depicting a unicorn hunt. Also
   provides information about the weaving process and the
   Cloisters branch of the New York City Metropolitan Museum of
   Art, videos, and a bibliography.
   http://www.metmuseum.org/explore/unicorn/unicorn_splash.htm

-- Pani Jadwiga Zajaczkowa, Knowledge Pika jenne at fiedlerfamily.net


Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:50:03 +1100
From: Zebee Johnstone <zebeej at gmail.com>
Subject: [Lochac] Make your own tapestry
To: "The Shambles: the SCA Lochac mailing list"
	<lochac at lochac.sca.org>

Make your own tapestry, but without the tedious needlework bits.
http://bayeux.datensalat.net/

Pick beasts and birds and warriors and buildings and kings and bishops and
ships, and recreate your great adventures.

(Getting members of the Wosrshipful Companye of Broiderers to create it as
a physical object is left as an exercise for the reader.  I suspect it
would have to involve Very Expensive alcohol)

Silfren

<the end>
Edited by Mark S. Harris	tapestries-msg	Page 15 of 15