The 90-foot Tapestry Room

It is conceivable our entire home would fit in this one room.  Jeepers.

There are three tapestries here, also from the 16th century.  The Tapestry Room at Biltmore Estate is 90' long and probably 30' high, so you figure out the size of these tapestries.  (I wonder what the walls behind the tapestries look like?  Just like me to want to go peeking...) The trim around the tapestries lend to the impression that these are forms of artwork - which they truly are.  A painter has to make every brush stroke on the canvas to create the picture; those that make tapestry have to make every single individual stitch by hand to create the picture.  There's a WHOLE bunch of stitches in these tapestries.
 

In the 15th century tapestry scenes were generally religious in content and made from Italian silk and Cyprian gold and silver thread; by the 16th century they were mostly of kings and battles and hunting scenes.  That would be a quick method of dating these - but not a perfect method.

France was a hotbed of tapestry making - hence the reference to "Flemish" tapestry.  French kings in particular loved tapestries

This is the room family and guests would take afternoon tea and music in.  Today, local musicians (after passing auditions I'm guessing) sign up to come play instruments throughout the house during tours.  How cool would that be for a local musician?  how cool is that for you and me?!

Have you noticed the flooring in most of these rooms?  and this room has two fireplaces.  I'm thinkin' they must have had full time woodcutters, huh?  Did you know that any texturing in walls and ceilings help break up sounds so one doesn't feel as though they're in a warehouse?  The tapestries and upholstered furniture help absorb sounds, but the beamed ceiling helps, too.

I'm no decorator, but this looks like an eclectic collection of furniture.  I have serious doubts as to whether these pieces are original to George Vanderbilt's time here.  Antique, yes, but all original pieces?  I wonder.

To get to the Library one has to go through this room - it's the only way in and out of the Library.  I suppose if you're a family member or guest  you should mosey in there, pick out a book, and come out here to read it while waiting to be called for a meal...