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1960s vintage tapestry in blue, with abstract design

Emese – a best seller mid century textile wall art

November 30, 2021

Upon browsing Retro Cube Home’s collection you can come across with tapestries that seems to be very similar to each other – in style, color scheme and size.

Meet the genuinly beautiful tapestry family called “Emese”!

 

These mid century pieces were made in the Home Textile and Upholstery Company’s factories in Hungary, in the late 60s. Based on original labels from deadstock pieces these tapestries were named “Emese”. They are made of a 35% cotton, 65% viscose woven fabric called ‘moquette’.

Moquette tapestry, 1960s

Moquette tapestry, 1960s

 

Moquette is a type of woven pile fabric in which cut or uncut threads form a short dense cut or loop pile. As well as giving it a distinctive velvet-like feel, the pile construction is particularly durable, making it suitable for heavy duty and/or long term use.

 

Blue abstract wall art by Laszlo Pecsi, 1960s

Blue abstract wall art by Laszlo Pecsi, 1960s

 

I find these wall hangings quite fascinating and I’m constantly seeking for new additions for my collection.

Tapestries – among other home decor staples – were a real hit in Hungary due to a housing boom in the 60s. Thousands of new buildings emerged around. A lot of them were built of pre-made concrete blocks, and the walls of these houses were cold as ice. People needed something on the wall, to make it bearable – and pleasant for the eye. There were literally no home without one or more tapestries in the living room and bedroom – typically behind daybeds, sofas and beds.

Tapestry making quickly became a favourite hobby of young men and women. They would make pieces by weaving, latch hooking, punch needling, quilting etc. (There are many handmade, unique pieces in my shop). Also, the housing boom required items of home decoration, too. Not everyone could afford paintings to hang on the walls, and art prints were not yet widely available.

Click here to see my 10 favourite designs!

Mid century abstract art - in different color settings

Mid century abstract art – in different color schemes

 

Taking the circumstances, these large format, beautifully designed tapestries of the state-owned Home Textile Co. became a real hit, very quickly. Emese tapestries were true bestsellers.

Well known hungarian textile designers of that time – such as Laszlo Pecsi and Zsigmond Bakos – would work on creating tapestries that are aesthetically pleasing and are suitable for mass production in the same time. The Home Textile Co. produced “Emese” tapestries in about 18-20 designs, most (but not all) of them in 3-4 different color combination. Some of them were produced by the ten-thousands, some of them were sold by the yard, and some of them were produced in such small series that are very hard to find nowadays.

 

Mid century modern wall art - by the yard

Modern wall art – by the yard

 

When we’re talking about mass production, we must remember that Hungary was/is a small country who’s economy were in baby-stage in the 60s, after a long and deep WW2 recession. Also, the political environment only supported artists who were willing to walk the applied art lane and design for factories instead of / besides private clients. This is one reason I like “Emese” tapestries so much – they did not sacrifice artistic quality on the altar of quantity and mass production.

 

Hard-to-find mid century modern tapestries, 1960s

Hard-to-find mid mod tapestries, 1960s

 

Emese tapestries were very popular in 60s. These tapestries received wide publication in Hungary’s only magazine dedicated to home decoration in that time: Lakáskultúra (1968- ). From the very first issue one can find articles and photos including these beauties, also interviews with their designer:

1960s living room, with sofa, armchairs, coffee table and a wall panel behind, including a long tapestry. Source: Lakaskultura magazine.

Interview with Zsigmond Bakos textile designer in home decor magazine Lakaskultura, 1960s

Bedroom with tapestry in home decor magazine Lakaskultura, 1960s

Home decoration magazine Lakaskultura, 1960s

Home decoration magazine Lakaskultura, 1968

All the pieces I have in stock are all from estate sales or estate sale dealers. I have had a few unused pieces that still had the original factory label on them.

Considering how popular these tapestries were in the 60s 70s, one would think that they are easy to find. This is unfortunately not the case. Many pieces I have found on estate sales are damaged, stained or badly faded. In the last couple of years I managed to find ca. 100-150 pieces in good condition – and I am constantly on the hunt. One have to have their lucky star around to find an Emese tapestry in great condition!

Browse my entire Emese tapestry collection here!  You can pay / check out on Etsy, or message me for a private sale with 10% discount on Etsy listing prices!

 

Marti

Written by Marti

Marti is a lover of the mid century modern aesthetic and interiors. Selling on Etsy since 2019 in her shop RetroCubeHome. Her main profile is handmade tapestries from 1960-70s.

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