Arras vs. Curtain — What's the Difference?

Symbol of wealth and status in historical contexts.

Essential for both functionality and interior design.

Heavy textile used for insulation and decoration.

Used as a room divider or decoration.

Artistic wall hanging with historical scenes.

Can be easily changed to update a room's appearance.

A decorative woven tapestry hung on walls.

Fabric hung over windows to block light or provide privacy.

A piece of art and history, often telling a story.

Available in various materials and designs.

Arras ( ARR-əss, French: [aʁɑs] (listen); Picard: Aro; Historical Dutch: Atrecht [ˈaːtrɛxt] (listen)) is the capital (chef-lieu/préfecture) of the Pas-de-Calais department, which forms part of the region of Hauts-de-France; prior to the reorganization of 2014 it was located in Nord-Pas-de-Calais. The historic centre of the Artois region, with a Baroque town square, Arras is located in Northern France at the confluence of the Scarpe river and the Crinchon River.The Arras plain lies on a large chalk plateau bordered on the north by the Marqueffles fault, on the southwest by the Artois and Ternois hills, and on the south by the slopes of Beaufort-Blavincourt.

A curtain is a piece of cloth intended to block or obscure light, air drafts, or (in the case of a shower curtain) water. A curtain is also the movable screen or drape in a theater that separates the stage from the auditorium or that serves as a backdrop/background.Curtains are often hung on the inside of a building's windows to block the passage of light.

A tapestry, wall hanging, or curtain, especially one of Flemish origin.

A piece of fabric or other material that hangs in a window or open space as a decoration, shade, screen, or divider.

A tapestry or wall hanging.

Something that functions as or resembles a screen, cover, divider, or barrier

Tapestry; a rich figured fabric; especially, a screen or hangings of heavy cloth with interwoven figures.

The movable screen or drape in a theater or hall that separates the stage from the auditorium or that serves as a backdrop.

To furnish with an arras.

The rising or opening of a theater curtain at the beginning of a performance or act.

A wall hanging of heavy handwoven fabric with pictorial designs

The time at which a theatrical performance begins or is scheduled to begin.

The fall or closing of a theater curtain at the end of a performance or act.

The part of a rampart or parapet connecting two bastions or gates.

(Architecture) A curtain wall.

The end.

To provide (something) with a curtain or curtains.

To close off (something) with a curtain or curtains.

A piece of cloth covering a window, bed, etc. to offer privacy and keep out light.

A similar piece of cloth that separates the audience and the stage in a theater.

The beginning of a show; the moment the curtain rises.

(architecture) That part of a wall of a building which is between two pavilions, towers, etc.

A flag; an ensign.

To cover (a window) with a curtain; to hang curtains.

(figuratively) To hide, cover or separate as if by a curtain.

A hanging screen intended to darken or conceal, and admitting of being drawn back or up, and reclosed at pleasure; esp., drapery of cloth or lace hanging round a bed or at a window; in theaters, and like places, a movable screen for concealing the stage.

That part of the rampart and parapet which is between two bastions or two gates. See Illustrations of Ravelin and Bastion.

That part of a wall of a building which is between two pavilions, towers, etc.

A flag; an ensign; - in contempt.

To inclose as with curtains; to furnish with curtains.

Hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)

Any barrier to communication or vision;

Provide with drapery;

Curtains are used to cover windows, control light, ensure privacy, and sometimes serve as room dividers or decorative elements.

Arrases are seen as historical artifacts due to their intricate craftsmanship, depiction of historical or mythological scenes, and use in significant historical contexts.

Yes, both can enhance room decor, but arrases are valued for their artistry and historical significance, whereas curtains are more versatile in style and function.

An arras is a richly woven tapestry, often used in historical settings for wall decoration and insulation.

Yes, many arrases depict historical events, mythological stories, or emblematic scenes, serving as a narrative medium.

No, curtains can also be used as room dividers, shower curtains, or for theatrical purposes, offering versatility beyond window covering.

Factors include light control needs, privacy, aesthetic preferences, and the room’s overall design theme.

Arrases are made from heavy, intricately woven textiles, while curtains can be made from a variety of fabrics, including lightweight and translucent materials.

Arrases require careful preservation due to their age and the delicacy of their materials, often involving controlled environmental conditions in museums or private collections.

While less common in everyday use, arrases might be found as decorative pieces in homes that favor historical or luxurious interiors.