The history of curtains and drapes 06.12.2016 – Published in: Curtain Blog
Definition: Curtain or drape?
The word "gordijne" comes from Low German and Dutch, became widespread in the 15th and 16th centuries, and originally referred to a bed curtain. A curtain is also called a blind. It is meant to be beautiful and to decorate and adorn the window and thus the room. Curtains are usually made of a light, bright, transparent, or at least semi-transparent fabric. They don't necessarily have to cover the window; sometimes they are only partially covered. For example, only half the height.
A curtain, on the other hand, is usually made of a sturdy, opaque, and sometimes heavy fabric. Curtains are also used as a decorative element—and also to protect against prying eyes, the cold, or even the sun. While a sheer curtain usually only reaches the windowsill, drapes are much longer and often reach the floor.
Many people have curtains over the curtains that they can close in the evening.
The history of curtains and drapes
Already in the ancient Egypt Due to the open columned architecture coupled with the intense sunlight in the southern regions, the need arose to convert fabrics into sun protection. Curtains, which were not particularly effective at the time, were made of simple fabric and usually decorated with traditional or ornamental lotus patterns.
Example of a lotus flower pattern
Im ancient Greece However, the first curtains were already used for decorative purposes. At that time, the visual connection between the curtain edges with a pelmet (a cross-hanging on the window) first emerged. The fabrics were decorated with a relatively simple pattern, usually placed in the center. Often, the lower part of the fabric was decorated with very complex, typical rectangular, geometric-looking shapes.
Example of a saddle pad
In ancient Rome New, almost pompous decorative elements emerged in home textiles and curtains. Curtains with frayed ends were particularly popular. In addition, a freer ornamental style emerged (an ornament is a mostly repetitive, often abstract or abstracted pattern with a symbolic function in itself) – and fabrics with floral motifs emerged.
The Gothic period Windows were increasingly decorated with stained glass, and the use of curtains declined. However, home textiles were increasingly used to divide certain living areas within the home. This was primarily intended to minimize heat loss. Typical curtain colors were blue and red, with the fabrics often decorated with floral patterns featuring fleurs-de-lis, heraldic motifs, and silver or gold circles and squares.
In the 15th century, at the time of Renaissance, the beauty of valances was rediscovered. The types of fabric varied between heavy and light curtain types, with silk being very often used for the latter. The patterns on the fabrics became simpler, and in some cases patterns were even dispensed with entirely. Plain fabrics were often used. New decorative elements added during this era were so-called borders. These are decorated edges or fabric bands at the edges. Tassels (hanging bundles of threads or cords, often finished with a knot or decorative bead at the top) also often adorned window decorations.
Example of a tassel
In the era of Baroque Large-scale patterns were often used in curtains. These curtains often had decorative edging at the top, decorated handles, and fringes. Furthermore, these curtains were combined with richly decorated upholstery and valances in all shapes and colors.
The RokokoThe 18th century was the heyday of Lyon silk. This high-quality silk became an integral part of curtain and drapery production. The fabrics were decorated with floral patterns. A pleated hem was often added to the bottom of the curtains.
In the time of Klassik With regard to window textiles, the antique ideal of beauty is being reborn. Curtains and drapes are usually finished with decorative rails at the top. They are often adorned with loosely gathered, plain-colored upholstery, blinds, classic patterns, pastel colors, and upwardly pleated curtains.
The invention of the curtain rod with rings for hanging the curtains dates back to the age of RomanceArchitecturally, buildings with massive vaults were distinctive. The use of valances declined sharply. Instead, striking, stitched geometric patterns across the entire fabric surface became widespread, as did the use of clips at the edge of the curtains to allow them to be pulled apart decoratively.
In the time of Biedermeier Pleated curtains and drapes in all colors and styles were very popular.
In the era of Art Nouveau For the first time, track systems for curtains and drapes were equipped with a cord. This made them easier to operate. The curtains and drapes themselves were woven with patterns, often richly decorated. A new element were the typical track curtains for tearooms and cafes, whose top edge ended in the lower half of the window.
While in Op-Art (Op-Art or optical art is a style of fine art of the 1960s, which creates surprising or irritating optical effects for the viewer with the help of precise abstract form patterns and geometric color figures) imaginative forms, a rich variety of colors as well as various technical details and additions found their way, curtains and drapes were in the time of modernism Perhaps in contrast, they were kept rather simple. Modern times ultimately led to new materials and a new perspective on the appearance and function of curtains and drapes—as well as interior design in general.
And today? Curtains and drapes, like other "fashions," are subject to trends. Fabric materials, lengths, and colors of home textiles change. Among the latest trends in curtains and drapes is the use of materials that mimic the natural cycle. For example, there are now curtains that begin to glow gently in the morning, making waking up much more pleasant. The future remains exciting!