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Lot Essay
Decorated with flowering trees and exotic birds, this beautifully preserved set of Chinese wallpapers represents one of the three distinguishable Chinese wallpaper subjects commonly illustrated in 18th Century China. The other two types typically depicting flowering trees and people, or Chinese people going about their everyday life activities (J. Kosuda-Warner, Landscape Wallcoverings, 2001).
The earliest reference to the use of Chinese wallpaper hangings or panels in England dates from the reign of William and Mary. The London Gazette from 1693 carried an advertisement for the sale of 'paper hangings of Indian and Japan figures'. Early Chinese wallpapers were brought to Europe by the British East Indian Company which had been founded in 1599, and were often referred to as 'India' or 'Japan' wallpapers, undoubtedly creating confusion as to their true origin.
A comparable set of Chinese wallpaper panels was sold at Christie's, London, 17 April 1997, lot 30; and another, Christie's, London, 9 July 1998, lot 35.
The earliest reference to the use of Chinese wallpaper hangings or panels in England dates from the reign of William and Mary. The London Gazette from 1693 carried an advertisement for the sale of 'paper hangings of Indian and Japan figures'. Early Chinese wallpapers were brought to Europe by the British East Indian Company which had been founded in 1599, and were often referred to as 'India' or 'Japan' wallpapers, undoubtedly creating confusion as to their true origin.
A comparable set of Chinese wallpaper panels was sold at Christie's, London, 17 April 1997, lot 30; and another, Christie's, London, 9 July 1998, lot 35.