Topic Description: Tapestries and Hangings

"TAPESTRIES AND HANGINGS" encompasses suites of textile furnishings in all media (including plain silk, brocade, velvet, embroidery and leather) with particular attention to historiated tapestries or "arazzi" (including "grottesche").

In practice, the terminology in the documents is often unclear and it is sometimes difficult to differentiate the various references to "parati", "arazzi", "panni di arazzo", "parati di arazzo", "parati di sala", etc. (Note: "parato di chiesa" tends to indicate vestments, or a suite of vestments and matching altar furnishings.)

Many references to "TAPESTRIES AND HANGINGS" are cross-indexed under "LUXURY TEXTILES" and "STATE GIFTS".

"Arazzieri" and "tappezzieri" who are known by name are indexed as "ARTISTS". References to unnamed or otherwise obscure artisans ("Arnolfo degli arazzi") are generally indexed under "TAPESTRIES AND HANGINGS", even when they appear in contexts not directly relevant to this activity ("il tappezziere tedesco si è lamentato del mangiare.")

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