Tuesday, June 6, 2006

When it all began!

Why the recent facination with decorative throw pillows? The truth is there is nothing recent about it.

The earliest pillows were formed wrapped around leaves or straw. The Chinese invented silken pillows and decorative antique pillows of linen have been discovered in the pyramids of ancient Egypt. Coptic woven pillows have been found in early Christian tombs. In classical Greece pillows were used to provide comfort in austere surroundings. The Romans enjoyed luxuriously upholstered couches often covered with large pillows for support and comfort.

The history of decorative pillows is intrinsically linked with that of textiles. Pillows can be created from silks, tapestries and woven fabrics. They can be printed, embroidered and adorned with trim and materials such as beads, sequins and shells. The variety is infinite. In Britain Pillows have been used at least since Medieval times. They became important in the 16th century when they were used on carved wooden furniture and oak to provide much needed comfort and luxury. They would have had sheep skin linings as in the early quilts, only later were Pillows stuffed with feathers.

The desire for more comfortable surroundings coincided with the desire for more decoration. Pillows softened the severity of the wooden furniture. The designs in the textiles mirrored those of the carved wood furniture. Pillows became more sophisticated as more fabrics arrived from abroad, notably Italy. Silks, velvets, damasks and embroideries were embellished with gold threads, crewel work, trimmings and passmenterie. Today artisitc expression in pillows continues. Many fashion designers are moving from apparel to soft furnishings, a trend that is reviving the decorative pillow as an artistic medium.

This blog is dedicated to all of those who appreciate the beauty of decorative pillows and cushions. Recognizing pillows as a very real artistic medium for self expression (a medium that also happens to serve a very functional purpose) opens up a whole new world to art and textile lovers and home decorators alike.

I invite you to share your appreciation and thoughts on decorative pillows on the Throw Pillows Online Blog.

3 comments:

  1. Thank you for interesting information. I also love decorative pillows. Have lots of them myself. And keep making them.
    Elena

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  2. Thank you for interesting information about textile and pillows. I love decorative pillows and have a lot of them in my house.

    Elena

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  3. Thank you Elena. I am currently in Thailand sourcing textiles. The silks are of course stunning with some of the best and most beautiful patterns coming from the North Eastern regions of the countyr near the Lao border. So many wonderful designs and made with such care and age old techniques.

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