, according to its decoration. For
instance, a triangle will hang or stand, according as its apex points
downwards or upwards. But in draped curtains all symmetry of design is
lost, and the rich forms and fulness of folds rather tend to destroy
the effect of elaborate patterns, and to take their place."

Another important difference between standing and hanging tapestries
is their finish or edge, the upper one being an upright continuous
border, and the lower one a fringe. In both cases it is a continuation
of the main threads of the material, and these belong exclusively to
the hanging tapestries and curtains. The fringe is so essential a part
of hanging decoration, that we must pause and give it our best
consideration. In Babylonian art it is most important. The extreme
solidity of the knotted fringes in their dress and hangings show
either the thickness of the woven substance, or that the fringes were
made by enriching the warp and adding to it. They are almost always,
on the Assyrian sculptures, simply knotted fringes; but the little
portable Chaldean temple on the bronze gates from Balawat (near
Nimroud), in the British Museum, shows fringes of bells or fruit like
those of the Jewish tabernacle in the wilderness (fig. 2). On Egyptian
linen we sometimes see, woven or worked, a reticulated pattern which
imitates a fringe.

The carpets of the Egyptians, Babylonians, and Persians were evidently
used sometimes as hangings, though many of their designs would not
have served both purposes equally well. That the Babylonian weavers,
however, understood that a carpet lying on the ground should be
covered with an even pattern, and be finished with a border all round,
is evident from the exquisitely chiselled designs, imitating carpets,
on two portions of pavements in the British Museum (pl. 27); and we
may compare these with the different treatment of designs for the
veils of the temples, both in Babylon and Egypt, on which were
represented the signs of the zodiac and all the heavenly bodies, and
other symbolical and unconventional forms. The Atrium of the Greek and
Pompeian houses, which was modelled on the same idea, was separated
from the Court by curtains, hung on rods or nails. On festive
occasions these may have been garlanded with natural flowers. If so,
we may be sure that the little wreaths worked on them, as we learn
from frescoes, would combine with the gala day's decorations, and
would be designed with that view