A set of twenty rolls of Chinese Export wallpaper panels, 19th century

hand-painted against a pale blue ground with foliage, flowers, exotic birds and butterflies, linen-backed, unframed

Sotheby's, London, 19 June 2002, lot 142 (£24,000)

A large and highly decorative set of wall paper, 19 of which can be fitted together. The last one has slightly different colours but the same pattern. The rolls have undergone conservation and restoration and are now laid down on later backing paper. There are pressed creases to the surfaces from that process and some tears to the later backing. Some rolls show signs of fragmentation around the edges which has now been consolidated. Each roll with some minor old marks. Sotheby's recommend interested parties inspect in the rolls in the gallery.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Originally purchased by Mr & Mrs L. Anderson for their house 'Mynda' in Kew, Victoria, Australia, built in 1882. However, the papers were never installed, and remained in storage at the house until the early 1980's when the Estate of the late Miss Elizabeth Anderson was sold. 

The vogue for Chinese Export wallpaper was fashionable in Europe from the middle of the 17th century, but reached its zenith of popularity between 1740-90. M. Jourdain and R. Soame Jenyns in Chinese Export Art in the 18th Century, London, 1950, mention 'in 1748 Mrs. Delaney describes a room at Cornbury hung with the finest Indian Paper of flowers and all sorts of birds.' The authors also illustrate a similar set of papers at Townley Hall, Ireland, circa 1800; pl. 39, p. 93. Another two sets of papers of similar design can be found at Penrhyn Castle, Gwynedd, Wales, National Trust, located in the State Bedroom and Lower India Room, the later circa 1800, installed in the 1830's. 

In America before 1784 these papers are relatively scarce, being imported via London for east coast merchants in New England. The Peabody Museum of Salem, Massachusetts, owns a similar paper of flowering trees and birds on a yellow ground from the collection of J. A. Lloyd Hyde; an another is recorded by C. L. Crossman, The Decorative Arts of the China Trade, Suffolk, 1991, pl. 249, p. 399, a strip of wallpaper from the Edward Carrington House, Providence, Rhode Island, circa 1810, from the Collection of the Rhode Island Historical Society.