A Set of Five Chinese Export Painted Silk Panels, Qing Dynasty, 18th Century

A Private French Collection

The European demand for Chinese painted wall coverings dates back to the 17th century, and while factories in the west quickly began manufacturing imitations to compete, the demand for true Asian products proved to be far greater than for those fabricated in Europe. By the 18th century it was the established fashion to cover walls with pieces of Chinese paper or silk. Several surviving examples of such decorated rooms can be found in historic homes across Europe, such as the small dressing room in the Veltrusy Chateau in present day Czech Republic (see image).

A very similar pattern of Chinese export painted silk can be seen on a polescreen in Osterly Park and House, London (NT 771815) dated circa 1760. Further related pieces are illustrated in Jean Hamilton and Charles Oman, Wallpapers: A History and Illustrated Catalogue of the Collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1982, pp 58-61. See two examples sold in our Paris rooms: the first, a set of nine panels from the collection of Sylvain Lévy-Alban, sold 17th April 2019, lot 268, and another set of seven from the collection of Pierre Bergé, sold 30th October 2018, lot 18.