Chinese wallpaper has been an important element of western interior
decoration for three hundred years. As trade between Europe and China
flourished in the seventeenth century, Europeans developed a strong
taste for Chinese art and design. The stunningly beautiful wall
coverings now known as 'Chinese wallpaper' were developed by Chinese
painting workshops in response to western demand.
In spite of their spectacular beauty, Chinese wallpapers have not been
studied in any depth until relatively recently. This book provides an
overview of some of the most significant Chinese wallpapers surviving in
the British Isles. Sumptuously illustrated, it shows how these
wallpapers became a staple ingredient of high-end interiors while always
retaining a touch of the exotic.