1940s Portuguese Needlepoint Rug with Floral Trellis Design Doris Leslie Blau

One-of-a-kind Vintage Portuguese Needlepoint Carpet Size: 14'6" × 14'9" (441 × 449 cm). This exceptional vintage Portuguese needlepoint rug, crafted circa 1940, exemplifies the rich ...

One-of-a-kind Vintage Portuguese Needlepoint Carpet Size: 14'6" × 14'9" (441 × 449 cm). This exceptional vintage Portuguese needlepoint rug, crafted circa 1940, exemplifies the rich ...

1920s English Needlepoint Rug with Floral Medallion Design Size: 4'8" × 4'10" (142 × 147 cm) This exquisite antique English needlepoint rug, circa 1920, radiates timeless elegance an...

1920s English Needlepoint Rug with Floral Medallion Design Size: 4'8" × 4'10" (142 × 147 cm) This exquisite antique English needlepoint rug, circa 1920, radiates timeless elegance an...

72494 Antique Spanish Needlepoint Rug, 10'08 x 14'10. This antique Spanish needlepoint rug is a remarkable testament to Spanish artistry, blend...

An antique French needlepoint large oversized carpet handmade during the early 20th century. Spaced small stars fill the burgundy field while scrolli...

Ancient Roots Of Needlepoint Rugs Archaeologists and scholars consider the roots of needlepoint to have been around 1500 BC. They consider the first needlepoint to include the fine diagonal stitches that were used to sew tents together by the ancient Egyptians. The art eventually evolved into tapestry weaving. However, a tapestry weaving differs significantly from needlepoint in that it uses a loom and vertical warp. Tapestry weaving is closer to the weaving of kilims and pile rugs than canvas work. However, some still include tapestry weaving in the category of needlepoint because of the fine work that appeared during the late Renaissance. It can have a similar appearance to the untrained eye. Technically, tapestry weaving and needlepoint are not the same, and they do not use the same technique. The first actual needlepoint rugs and needle-points began to appear in the late Renaissance. Needlepoint is worked by creating stitches on a stiff canvas. The canvas is typically made from jute or linen and is quite durable. Pieces from the Renaissance were used to cover footstools, chairs, pillows, bed headboards, and other furnishings. They were also used as table coverings and wall coverings. You could also find them on many small items such as purses, shoes, and various adornments for clothing. During the Renaissance, the craft reached a high level of skill, and the designs became incredibly detailed and realistic. They mimicked many of the subjects and styles of famous paintings of the time. They created florals, still life designs, scenes, and geometric tiled pieces. Some of them mimicked the designs found in Persian Carpets. Needlepoint reached its peak popularity in the 19th century when it was considered a proper occupation for a lady. Needlepoint and embroidery held a similar place in societal status at the time. During this time, the work became finer, with some of the canvas reaching a high level of detail. The level of detail is determined by counting the number of mesh in an inch. During this time petit point by French needlewomen could have a mesh count as high as 45 mesh. This allowed women to create highly intricate designs with incredible levels of detail. Historical Needlepoint Carpets and Rugs It is possible to find many antique pieces of needlepoint besides rugs. Needlepoint rugs were popular in France and Spain, where the technique was adapted to create highly intricate designs that mimicked the designs in architecture and fashion. They were popular because they were durable, and it could be fashioned into a variety of items. The canvases themselves were durable, and the wool that they used was also strong, which means that many of the pieces were able to withstand daily use. We have many artifacts that have survived from this time period. Needlepoint rugs are important collectibles because they are different from the pile rugs and kilims that are typically found on the market. Needlepoint carpets are special because they take many hours to create, especially larger works. Needlepoint pieces of any type became popular throughout Europe during the 19th century. It is still a popular hobby today, but perhaps one of the most interesting stories is that of the Portuguese needlewomen of Arraiolos. The story of these women and their beautiful carpets begins in 1492. Needlepoint was a popular occupation in Spain, which had a large population of Moors and Jews. They were an integral part of Spanish culture. However, in 1492, Queen Isabella of Spain issued a proclamation that gave these ethnic groups the order to pack their bags and board ships headed...

Early 20th Century Portuguese Needlepoint Carpet ( 15'6"x 21'6" - 472 x 655 )