Chinese wallpapers at the National Trust
January 11, 2012 3 Comments
The National Trust’s Treasure Hunt blog has been delving into the world of Chinese wallpapers recently and I thought I’d share a few of these wonderful photos with you.
Ornate, hand-painted wallpapers like these were the height of luxury during the 18th century and it’s amazing that some are still extant in their original homes.
What really caught my eye were the pictures of the newly painted fascimile wallpapers at Avebury Manor.
The design was applied to the walls by stencil and then details were painstakingly painted in by hand.
The design may not strictly be historically accurate but I think the decision to feature flashes of local British flora and fauna (such as wild pansies, red admiral and peacock butterflies, great crested newts and foxes) on the wallpaper adds another neat layer of history onto this restoration project. After all, true Chinoiserie, like the original Chinese wallpapers, was always made for Western consumption and Western tastes.
You can read more about Chinoiserie and wallpaper on the Treasure Hunt blog.
