Curtains are lengths of fabric hung at windows, doorways or around beds to control light, reduce draughts, provide privacy and add colour and comfort to a room. In the antiques and interiors world the term covers antique and vintage curtains themselves, historic fabrics reused as curtains, and the pelmets, valances, poles and tiebacks that accompany them.
In medieval and Tudor houses, hangings were concentrated around beds, and window curtains only became common in the seventeenth century. Georgian rooms introduced paired curtains and elaborate festoon and drapery arrangements, while the Victorians favoured layers of heavy fabric with lace or muslin undercurtains, deep fringed valances and rich passementerie. Silk damasks, printed chintzes, toiles, velvets, wool tapestry weaves and Arts and Crafts prints by designers such as William Morris all appear in antique curtains. Today pairs of good antique curtains, especially lined and interlined examples in generous lengths, are keenly sought by interior designers. Condition is critical: fading along the leading edges, light damage to silk, moth and weakened linings are common. A careful restorer can often reline, shorten or rearrange old curtains to suit modern windows.
