A textile panel is a piece of fabric, usually rectangular, that has been made or cut to be displayed as a decorative unit, whether embroidered, woven, printed or painted. Textile panels may have been designed as wall hangings, bed or curtain borders, cushion covers, chair seats or screen insets, or they may be surviving fragments of larger hangings, vestments or carpets.
Antique textile panels come from many traditions, including English crewelwork and needlework, Flemish and French tapestry, Italian velvets and brocades, Chinese embroidered silks, Ottoman and Central Asian embroideries such as suzanis, and Arts and Crafts embroidered hangings. Their appeal lies in colour, pattern and craftsmanship, and they bring warmth and texture to walls and furniture. Many are now displayed framed, stretched over a padded board, mounted on a hanging sleeve, or inset into fire screens and upholstered furniture. Collectors look for strong original colour, good condition and fine workmanship, and should be wary of heavy fading, splits, insect damage and later overpainting or restitching. Proper mounting with conservation materials and protection from direct sunlight will help a textile panel last, and specialist advice should be sought for valuable or fragile pieces.
