One of the favorite medieval themes among tapestry collectors is the Knights Templar. The Knights Templar, also known for the names Order of the Temple and The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon, was founded after the success of the First Crusade and was made official by the Roman Catholic Church in 1129. Besides being a favored Christian charity, its operation made way for advanced financial techniques credited as the world's earlier forms of banks. The Knights Templar also built fortifications in the Holy Land and the Mediterranean. They became part of the following Crusades, although the loss of the Holy Land prompted the Catholic Church to withdraw support in the Order gradually. The Order was disbanded in 1312, after a series of arrests and interrogations-and even the death of several Knight Templar members.
This rich history is the reason why there are several tapestries featuring images of The Knights Templar. Like the usual medieval tapestries, these tapestries touch the themes of religion and war. Because of this, several tapestries feature elaborate depictions of these themes. As with the tapestries, Knight Templar tapestries tell a story-in this case, they represent the Order's history.
While some of the Templar tapestry designs are not actual tapestries that existed during that period (unlike, for example, the Bayeux Tapestry, which is a real tapestry piece that was created hundreds of years ago, and with its replicas available in the market today), there are several tapestry pieces that accurately depict them. Perhaps the reason for the popularity is the theme behind the tapestries, since the organization has such a rich and colorful history that touches ever aspect of that period. Among the most sought-after Templar tapestries is the woven reproduction of the Knights Templar seal, which depicts two knights riding a single horse, supposedly symbolizing their poverty and who they turned their backs on their worldly belongings. Most of these medieval tapestries have images of knights in their elaborate armor standing behind the European landscape of castles. A popular example of this is the Templier, which shows a white knight, with the insignia of a red cross on his chest, carrying a shield, behind what looks like a town or the castle. Also, by depicting knights and castles, these Knight Templar tapestries also depict existing artworks. Castles are considered as grand works of art, and these tapestries capture their elegance and beauty.
In a way, these medieval tapestries capture and portray European history in an artistic and elegant manner. Decorating a home with Knights Templar tapestries can add flavor and texture to any home, especially for homes that have an old European theme. Of course, medieval Knight Templar tapestries will fit any home-may it be Asian, European, or American. Using Knights Templar tapestries is a way to capture history and let history's beauty be part of the ordinary home.
Decor4u.com offers Medieval Tapestries and Bayeux Tapestries as one part of a large collection of wall tapestries.
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