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.

Reverse Painted Glass Wall Decor at NOVICA

Mirror, 'Golden Rays' - Unique Reverse Painted Glass Mirror from Peru

Bestseller

Golden Rays, Unique Reverse Painted Glass Mirror from Peru

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$169.99 Wholesale

$169.99

Reverse painted glass mirror, 'Bluebells' - Reverse Painted Glass Floral Wall Mirror with Bluebells

Bestseller

Bluebells, Reverse Painted Glass Floral Wall Mirror with Bluebells

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$169.99 Wholesale

$169.99

Radiant Clarity, Round Floral Warm-Toned Reverse-Painted Glass Wall Mirror

Flora Polo

(86)

$99.99 Wholesale

~~$124.99~~ $99.99

Reverse-painted glass wall cross, 'Flowers of Faith in Beige' - Handmade Glass Wall Cross with Floral Motifs

Bestseller

Flowers of Faith in Beige, Handmade Glass Wall Cross with Floral Motifs

Marcos Luzalde

(44)

$79.99 Wholesale

$79.99

Reverse painted glass accent mirrors, 'New Spring' (set of 3) - 3 Petite Collectible Reverse Painted Glass Accent Mirrors

Bestseller

New Spring, 3 Petite Collectible Reverse Painted Glass Accent Mirrors

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$79.99 Wholesale

$79.99

Bronze-gilded reverse-painted glass wall mirror, 'Flowery Arrangement' - Red Floral Bronze-Gilded Reverse-Painted Glass Wall Mirror

New Arrival

Flowery Arrangement, Red Floral Bronze-Gilded Reverse-Painted Glass Wall Mirror

Gliseria Soto

(47)

$124.99 Wholesale

$124.99

Reverse painted glass mirror, 'Wine and Blossoms' - Reverse painted glass mirror

Bestseller

Wine and Blossoms, Reverse painted glass mirror

Marcos Luzalde

(44)

$239.99 Wholesale

$239.99

Bronze-gilded reverse-painted glass wall mirror, 'Sun Bouquet' - Sun Floral-Themed Bronze-Gilded Reverse-Painted Glass Mirror

New Arrival

Sun Bouquet, Sun Floral-Themed Bronze-Gilded Reverse-Painted Glass Mirror

Gliseria Soto

(47)

$124.99 Wholesale

$124.99

Bronze-gilded reverse-painted glass wall mirror, 'Rosy Arrangement' - Floral-Themed Bronze-Gilded Reverse-Painted Glass Mirror

New Arrival

Rosy Arrangement, Floral-Themed Bronze-Gilded Reverse-Painted Glass Mirror

Gliseria Soto

(47)

$124.99 Wholesale

$124.99

Reverse painted glass wall mirror, 'Gaze' - Floral Reverse Painted Glass Frame Octagonal Wall Mirror

Bestseller

Gaze, Floral Reverse Painted Glass Frame Octagonal Wall Mirror

Flora Polo

(86)

$189.99 Wholesale

$189.99

Bronze-gilded reverse-painted glass wall mirror, 'Blooming Arrangement' - Bronze-Gilded Reverse-Painted Glass Floral Wall Mirror

New Arrival

Blooming Arrangement, Bronze-Gilded Reverse-Painted Glass Floral Wall Mirror

Gliseria Soto

(47)

$124.99 Wholesale

$124.99

Reverse-painted glass wall accent mirror, 'Dance of the Winds' - Hummingbird-Themed Reverse-Painted Glass Wall Accent Mirror

Bestseller

Dance of the Winds, Hummingbird-Themed Reverse-Painted Glass Wall Accent Mirror

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$69.99 Wholesale

$69.99

Bestseller

Modern Daisy, Mirror

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$284.99 Wholesale

$284.99

Bronze-gilded reverse-painted glass wall mirror, 'Bloomy Arrangement' - Bronze-Gilded Reverse-Painted Glass Mirror with Floral Theme

New Arrival

Bloomy Arrangement, Bronze-Gilded Reverse-Painted Glass Mirror with Floral Theme

Gliseria Soto

(47)

$124.99 Wholesale

$124.99

Reverse painted glass mirror, 'Spring Violets' - Wild Violets Reverse Painted Glass Wall Mirror

Bestseller

Spring Violets, Wild Violets Reverse Painted Glass Wall Mirror

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$199.99 Wholesale

$199.99

Reverse painted glass wall mirror, 'Red Peruvian Elegance' - Reverse Painted Glass and Wood Framed Wall Mirror from Peru

Bestseller

Red Peruvian Elegance, Reverse Painted Glass and Wood Framed Wall Mirror from Peru

Flora Polo

(86)

$149.99 Wholesale

$149.99

Reverse painted glass wall mirror, 'Floral Medallions in Scarlet' - Floral Reverse Painted Glass Mirror in Scarlet from Peru

Bestseller

Floral Medallions in Scarlet, Floral Reverse Painted Glass Mirror in Scarlet from Peru

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$194.99 Wholesale

$194.99

Reverse painted glass wall mirror, 'Green Peruvian Elegance' - Reverse Painted Glass and Wood Framed Wall Mirror from Peru

Bestseller

Green Peruvian Elegance, Reverse Painted Glass and Wood Framed Wall Mirror from Peru

Flora Polo

(86)

$149.99 Wholesale

$149.99

Bronze-gilded reverse-painted glass wall mirror, 'Floral Arrangement' - Reverse-Painted Glass Floral Wall Mirror with Bronze Gilt

New Arrival

Floral Arrangement, Reverse-Painted Glass Floral Wall Mirror with Bronze Gilt

Gliseria Soto

(47)

$124.99 Wholesale

$124.99

Dance of the Flowers, Fair Trade Reverse Painted Glass Oval Floral Wall Mirror

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$139.49 Wholesale

~~$154.99~~ $139.49

Black Colonial Wreath, Black Floral Reverse-Painted Glass Wall Mirror from Peru

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$44.99 Wholesale

~~$49.99~~ $44.99

Reverse painted glass mirror, 'Cajamarca Warmth' - Rectangular Glass Wall Mirror Reverse Painted from Peru

Bestseller

Cajamarca Warmth, Rectangular Glass Wall Mirror Reverse Painted from Peru

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$219.99 Wholesale

$219.99

Reverse painted glass wall mirror, 'Golden Blue Elegance' - Reverse Painted Glass and Wood Framed Wall Mirror from Peru

Bestseller

Golden Blue Elegance, Reverse Painted Glass and Wood Framed Wall Mirror from Peru

Flora Polo

(86)

$149.99 Wholesale

$149.99

Iridescent Cajamarca Blossom, Hand Made Reverse Painted Glass Mirror from Peru

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$85.49 Wholesale

~~$94.99~~ $85.49

Dawn, Reverse Painted Glass Wall Mirror with Floral & Leaf Motifs

Flora Polo

(86)

$134.99 Wholesale

$134.99

Summer Scarlet, Unique Reverse Painted Glass Wood Mirror

Marcos Luzalde

(44)

$104.99 Wholesale

$104.99

Ebony Garden, Hand Crafted Reverse Painted Glass Mirror

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$174.99 Wholesale

$174.99

Teal Colonial Garden, Colonial Era Inspired Style Wall Mirror with Teal Frame

Flora Polo

(86)

$159.99 Wholesale

$159.99

Cusco Primrose, Bronze Leaf Accented Reverse-Painted Glass Wall Mirror

Gliseria Soto

(47)

$179.99 Wholesale

$179.99

Marine Flair, Reverse Painted Glass Wood Bronze Aluminum Leaf Wall Mirror

Marcos Luzalde

(44)

$69.99 Wholesale

$69.99

Petals, Reverse Painted Glass Mirror with Bronze and Aluminum Leaf

Marcos Luzalde

(44)

$67.99 Wholesale

$67.99

Fantastic Floral, Silver-Tone Reverse-Painted Glass Wall Mirror from Peru

Flora Polo

(86)

$139.99 Wholesale

$139.99

Floral Medallions, Reverse Painted Glass Rectangular Floral Wall Mirror

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$197.99 Wholesale

$197.99

Garden of Joy, Handcrafted Reverse-Painted Glass Mirror

Felipe Giron

(14)

$79.99 Wholesale

$79.99

Cuzco Garden, Small Round Reverse Painted Glass and Wood Mirror

Gliseria Soto

(47)

$79.99 Wholesale

$79.99

Lilac Star, Lilac Floral Star Reverse Painted Glass Mirror

Gelacio Giron

(70)

$47.99 Wholesale

$47.99

Green Star, Green Floral Fair Trade Reverse Painted Glass Wall Mirror

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$129.99 Wholesale

$129.99

Marigold, Fair Trade Reverse Painted Glass Oval Wall Mirror

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$149.99 Wholesale

$149.99

Colonial Charm, Floral Reverse-Painted Glass Wall Mirror from Peru

Flora Polo

(86)

$144.99 Wholesale

$144.99

Golden Garden, Unique Floral Wood Reverse Painted Art Glass Wall Mirror

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$169.99 Wholesale

$169.99

Romance, Reverse Painted Glass Wall Mirror

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$209.99 Wholesale

$209.99

Wild Orchids, Hand Crafted Reverse Painted Glass Wall Mirror

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$161.99 Wholesale

~~$179.99~~ $161.99

Caramel Colonial Wreath, Brown Floral Reverse-Painted Glass Wall Mirror from Peru

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$47.99 Wholesale

$47.99

Song of Spring, Reverse Painted Glass Floral Handmade Mirror

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$209.99 Wholesale

$209.99

Red Star, Collectible Floral Peruvian Reverse Painted Glass Mirror

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$94.99 Wholesale

~~$99.99~~ $94.99

Reverse-painted glass wall mirror, 'Idyllic Garden in Blue' - Oval Reverse-Painted Glass Wall Mirror

Bestseller

Idyllic Garden in Blue, Oval Reverse-Painted Glass Wall Mirror

Gliseria Soto

(47)

$127.99 Wholesale

$127.99

Fire Manor, Floral Round Reverse-Painted Glass Wall Mirror in Red

Flora Polo

(86)

$95.99 Wholesale

~~$119.99~~ $95.99

Blue Star, Blue Reverse-Painted Mirror

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$159.99 Wholesale

$159.99

Garden of Love, Hand Made Reverse Painted Glass Mirror

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$114.99 Wholesale

$114.99

Sunny Arrangement, Bronze Gilded Reverse-Painted Glass Wood Wall Mirror

Gliseria Soto

(47)

$179.99 Wholesale

$179.99

Cajamarca Garland, Floral Reverse-Painted Glass Wall Mirror from Peru

Marcos Luzalde

(44)

$187.99 Wholesale

$187.99

Black Star, Hand Made Reverse Painted Glass Mirror

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$119.99 Wholesale

$119.99

Aurora Reflection, Ivory and Brown Reverse Painted Glass Framed Wall Mirror

Flora Polo

(86)

$139.99 Wholesale

$139.99

Floral Medallions in Purple, Floral Reverse-Painted Glass Wall Mirror in Purple from Peru

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$217.99 Wholesale

$217.99

Sweetheart, Glass Reverse Painted Heart Wall Mirror

Marcos Luzalde

(44)

$149.99 Wholesale

$149.99

Colorful Reflection, Fair Trade Reverse Painted Glass Wall Mirror from Peru

Guido Espinoza

(6)

$147.99 Wholesale

$147.99

Sweet Flower Majesty, Reverse Painted Glass Mirror Wall Decor from the Andes

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$184.99 Wholesale

$184.99

Floral Crimson, Unique Red and Gold Reverse Painted Glass Wall Mirror

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$99.99 Wholesale

$99.99

Scarlet Fields, Modern Andean Hand Painted Wall Mirror

Gelacio Giron

(70)

$49.99 Wholesale

$49.99

Cajamarca Blossom, Reverse Painted Glass Wall Mirror with Flowers on Red

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$114.99 Wholesale

$114.99

Silver Blossoms, Handcrafted Floral Wall Mirror

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$289.99 Wholesale

$289.99

Moonlight, Modern Reverse Painted Glass Wall Mirror with Bronze Leaf

Marcos Luzalde

(44)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99

San Juan Bouquet, Round Reverse-Painted Glass Mirror

Gliseria Soto

(47)

$179.99 Wholesale

$179.99

Red and Green Colonial Garden, Red and Green Colonial Style Reverse Painted Glass Mirror

Flora Polo

(86)

$78.39 Wholesale

~~$97.99~~ $78.39

Colonial Crown in Sky Blue, Light Blue Accent Mirror from Peru

Gelacio Giron

(70)

$49.99 Wholesale

$49.99

Red Colonial Garden, Colonial Era Inspired Wall Mirror with Red Frame from Peru

Flora Polo

(86)

$159.99 Wholesale

$159.99

Azure Star, Blue Reverse Painted Glass Mirror Handmade in Peru

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$139.99 Wholesale

$139.99

Cuzco Meadow, Round Wall Mirror with Floral Reverse Painted Glass

Gliseria Soto

(47)

$87.99 Wholesale

$87.99

Traditional Medallion, Artisan Crafted Wall Mirror

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$157.99 Wholesale

$157.99

Golden Star, Collectible Reverse Painted Glass Handmade Mirror

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$129.99 Wholesale

$129.99

Sweet Arrangement, Reverse-Painted Glass Wood Wall Mirror with Floral Motifs

Gliseria Soto

(47)

$109.99 Wholesale

$109.99

Blue Cajamarca Blossom, Andean Reverse Painted Glass Blue Floral Wall Mirror

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$89.99 Wholesale

~~$99.99~~ $89.99

Cuzco Snowflake, Colonial Style Reverse Painted Glass Wall Mirror

Gliseria Soto

(47)

$89.99 Wholesale

$89.99

Beautiful Arrangement, Floral Motif Reverse-Painted Glass Wall Mirror

Gliseria Soto

(47)

$109.99 Wholesale

$109.99

Garden of Gold, Reverse Painted Glass Wall Mirror

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$98.99 Wholesale

~~$109.99~~ $98.99

Reverse-painted glass mirror, 'Antique Reflections' - Turquoise Floral Reverse-Painted Glass Wall Mirror from Peru

Coming back

Antique Reflections, Turquoise Floral Reverse-Painted Glass Wall Mirror from Peru

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$49.99 Wholesale

$49.99

White Colonial Wreath, Aged White Reverse Painted Glass Wall Mirror from Peru

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$59.99 Wholesale

$59.99

Primaveral, Round Floral Colorful Reverse-Painted Glass Wall Mirror

Flora Polo

(86)

$99.99 Wholesale

~~$124.99~~ $99.99

Diamond Drama, Diamond-Shaped Wall Accent Mirror

Marcos Luzalde

(44)

$267.99 Wholesale

$267.99

Blue Colonial Wreath, Fair Trade Reverse Painted Glass Wall Mirror in Aged Blue

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$49.99 Wholesale

$49.99

Regal Majesty, Floral Reverse-Painted Glass Wall Mirror from Peru

Flora Polo

(86)

$134.99 Wholesale

$134.99

White Star, Reverse Painted Glass Wood Mirror from Peru

Asunta Pelaez

(228)

$134.99 Wholesale

$134.99

Cusco Meadow, Floral Painted Glass and Wood Accent Mirror

Gliseria Soto

(47)

$119.99 Wholesale

$119.99

Colonial Arrangements, Hand-Painted Floral Wall Mirror

Gliseria Soto

(47)

$119.99 Wholesale

$119.99

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

Reverse Painted Glass Wall Decor

Related Categories

Unique Finds

The Village Council

Featured Reviews

Asunta Pelaez Reverse-painted glass mirrors and trays

The Holiday Catalog