Chinese Wallpaper in Britain and Ireland
![]() |
Chinese Wallpaper in Britain and Ireland, Emile de Bruijn, Philip Wilson Publishers, 2017, 272 pages, 154 colour and 15 black and white illustrations, hardback. |
This book represents a long-awaited discourse on these beautifully produced, colourful wallpapers which were manufactured in China for the European export market and became fashionable forms of decoration in the homes of the British and Irish gentry and elite from the 17th century onwards. For several decades this subject has been touched on by decorative art and country house historians as well as conservators, who have all contributed vital information to its study, while at the same time raising further tantalising questions in the search to more fully understand these beautiful objects.
De Bruijn, who has a background in Asian art, currently works at the National Trust, which owns the largest single collection of Chinese wallpapers in the UK. This book represents several years of work spent comprehensively collating the cross-disciplinary information, and the addition of the author’s own input to the scholarship. The work also helps elucidate the previous seminal work on the subject, Chinesische Tapetenfür Europa; vom Rollbildzur Bildtapete by Friederike Wappenschmidt (to whom de Bruijn’s book is dedicated), and which remains a largely untapped resource to non- German speaking scholars.
De Bruijn’s book is highly readable, with plenty of appropriately sized, full-page colour illustrations of these exquisite wallpapers, which serve to extend the appeal of the book beyond the academic and professional to a much wider readership. There is also a map of the known locations in Britain and Ireland where these wallpapers still survive. The chapters themselves are organised in chronological order, starting in 1600 and ending in the present day.
Within this, they broadly (if sometimes with inherent difficulty) divide into the traditional historiographic groupings based on their exotic imagery – for example, those depicting Chinese architecture, Chinese flora and fauna, or Chinese traditions. Along the way, the chapters explore fascinating issues relating to the wallpapers, including the links between East and West that made the trade in Oriental goods possible, the Oriental symbolism behind the imagery, and the attitudes, cultural associations and status that both the Chinese wallpaper manufacturers and their European consumers each ascribed to these decorative luxury goods.
The book also tackles the less well understood revival of interest in Chinese wallpapers during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In this, de Bruijn describes the vogue for the acquisition, rehanging and reinterpretation of antique Chinese wallpapers within contemporary decorative schemes, in particular the art deco interiors of the 1920s and 1930s. The book ends with a chapter on today’s burgeoning luxury market in reproduction Chinese and chinoiserie wallpapers, indicating the enduring commercial value, cultural connotations and associations with prestige that these stunning wallpapers represent.
This article originally appeared as ‘Oriental images’ in IHBC’s Context 155, published in July 2018. It was written by Phillippa Mapes, historic wallpaper conservator and research consultant.
--Institute of Historic Building Conservation
Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- China - clean, green buildings of the future.
- China Philharmonic Hall.
- China's New Silk Road - what you need to know.
- Chinese renaissance architecture in China and Hong Kong
- Conservation.
- Heritage protection in Ireland.
- IHBC articles.
- Interior design.
- New Chinese approach to masterplan designs.
- Recent history of interior design.
- The Anatomy of Colour.
- The Chinese construction industry
- The Institute of Historic Building Conservation.
- Wallpaper.
IHBC NewsBlog
BRE/BEIS project to modernise home energy rating scheme
The Building Research Establishment (BRE) has announced a new project with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to improve and modernise the home energy rating scheme used to measure the energy and environmental performance of UK homes.
Interdisciplinary IHBC accreditation recognised by CSCS for PQP Cards
Sector lead the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) has recognised the IHBC’s professional accreditation and support (CPD etc.) in awarding its PQP (Professionally Qualified Person) cards.
IHBC Heritage Marketplace provides learning-led virtual engagement
The IHBC’s 2022 Aberdeen School Heritage MarketPlace (4.30-7.30PM, 15 June) is designed to extend the scope of a traditional IHBC School exhibition floor.
Unearthing the history of Gloucester’s 'the Fleece' Hotel starts
Work to repair a fire-hit medieval hotel in Gloucester is underway as crews have started work to strip back some of the modern trappings and reveal the historic framework.
Booking Open for IHBC Annual School: Aberdeen, 16-18 June 2022
Options for in-person and virtual delegates to explore ‘heritage on the edge’ across up to 4 days of IHBC engagement & learning.
European Heritage Heads Forum statement on Ukraine
The Secretariat to the European Heritage Heads Forum has has coordinated its declaration of solidarity and support for Ukraine’s cultural heritage institutions.
Welcome to #IHBC25 – 25 years since we turned professional
2022 will see the IHBC mark a quarter of a century since our incorporation as a professional body supporting and accrediting built and historic environment conservation specialists. We’re kick-starting it by inviting your ideas on how to mark this special year!
IHBC launches new Guidance Note on ‘Design sources for historic building conservation'
The IHBC’s latest Guidance Note adds to the institute’s open-access, online practitioner’s Toolbox.
England’s communities empowered to shape design of neighbourhoods
Twenty-five areas in England from Bournemouth to Carlisle have been awarded a share of £3 million to help them set their own standards for design locally. "move from a vicious circle of generic development to a virtuous circle of regenerative development".
IHBC at COP26 - Conserving our Places Conserves our Planet - Podcast
The IHBC seeks to raise awareness and understanding of how building conservation philosophy and practice contributes towards meeting the challenge of climate change.