Tapestries

Tapestry is a kind of wall covering which during the Middle Ages - when this art become popular in the West- was used to distribute rooms, keep out the cold and be protected from the humidity of the cold rooms. An undisputable decorative element, tapestry has been considered a symbol of wealth and prestige since the Middle Ages. Their high price is due to the very slow and elaborate technique, done on a manual loom with a high or low heddle, which also uses a great deal of raw materials- wool and silk in most of the cases. At times, gold and silver yarns were also used, as in the series related to the conquest of Tunisia, commissioned in 1548 by Charles V to the Brussels-based upholsterer Guillermo Pannemaker.

Considered to be luxury objects, they could not be missing from any court or noble palace, and they were an essential element of decoration for centuries, depicting the changes in tastes and fashion.

The Marquis of Cerralbo also chose tapestries to decorate his palace. He owned samples from the late 16th and 17th centuries. Tapestries with Heraldic subject matter occupy a prominent place as they suit the noble desire to demonstrate the antiquity of their lineage through their arms. The Marquis of Cerralbo chose his palaces main staircase to situate two of these 17th century heraldic tapestries, one from Brussels and another from Pastrana.

In short, the Cerralbo Museum is one more sign of the great value tapestry continued to have throughout the 19th century.Salto de línea