Hilael Weaving Board

The Hilael Weaving Board is an art technique crafted by Hiaelians in the South Province. It was designed to create extensive woven fabrics and tapestries. Its unique design caters to the ease and accessibility of the weaver themselves.

Rarity

Weaving looms during this time were not rare or hard to find. As it was a common practice of artists to use when making tapestries. It is the Hilael Weaving Board that can be rare. This type of weaving board crafted by the Hilaelians can be found being used in the south Hilaelian kingdoms and by Hilael people themselves. The design of the board itself, is what separates Hilaelians from regular weaving looms. The Hilael Weaving Board is stored in people’s houses, away from the public. Never to be shown to someone who is not a Hilael.

History

The history of the weaving board is vague with its creation date unknown. Hilaelians don’t know how the weaving board truly originated. All they know is of the stories and tapestry designs passed down through generations. There was never any written record on how to build it or use it. It was taught by being shown. This delicate pastime is entrusted only to Hilaelians of the Artisan class. Those who practice weaving on these boards are known as wovers. Wovers are members of the artisan class sworn to keep the sacredness of this weaving board. The rules they follow are to never show the board to another Hilael unless the design is done, follow the correct procedures principles when making designs and setting up the board, and lastly to keep the board in a safe locked space. The integrity of the board has allowed wovers to become renowned artists if they are successful with their pieces. Once a wover is done with their design, they cut it off the weaving board and tie it off. The tapestry is then displayed in cathedrals, holy places, marketplace, and festivals. Ceremonies and festivals are the biggest time of the year for a wover. These celebrations are a great way to show prospects their work in hope of a commission and honor. Wovers can work for themselves or others, as long as the rules are followed and taken with care. Ultimately, the Hilael Weaving Board has no true date of when it was created. However in the era of the Astorian Conquest, the 1500s was a time when this art tradition would disappear. Technology became more advanced and the passion for this outdated tradition lost hope. Since there was no written record of how to produce this, all of the looms were either destroyed or broken. The history of the Hilael Weaving Board has been kept alive only through stories and preserved tapestries.

Significance

For generations, wovers have kept this tradition going while producing lavish extensive pieces over time. Sometimes wovers can have many weaving boards going. With the intent of working on different styles of weaving, teaching patterns to another wover, and keeping a long term piece up. Long term pieces can stay up to over a hundred years. Meaning wovers of the newer generation get to work on tapestries left for them decades ago. Wovers respect the patience and time it takes to fabricate such a complex loom and produced fabric pieces.

Mechanics and Inner Workings

The Hilael Weaving Board is constructed of two components; the loom itself and the needles to push the thread through the loom. The materials used were sticks, a slab of wood, string, and a hot metal rod. The structure of the loom was assembled by a square frame and x frame. The frames were tied together by string. With mud acting as a glue to hold the sticks in place during the process. The tied frames were then fused with a slab of wood. The slab of wood had indents all along the top and bottom for string to be looped in between. The needles used to push the thread through the loom were forged with tiny sticks and the hot metal rod. The tiny sticks were sharpened to have a pointer at the end. On the other end, a hole was drilled in by the metal rod that had been sitting in a fire. The loom and needles are unique because they are all sourced from nature. These materials that were found, were pieced together in a matter of making the loom versatile. The loom acts as both an easel stand and a medium to help produce designs.

Item type

Art