Pair of mesmerizing Chinese wallpaper panels, China, 18th century. Photo AUCTIONATA

Two Wallpaper panels made in China for Export to Europe. Watercolor and gouache on paper, laid down on canvas. The paintings show some wear, but are, in general, well presented with fresh colors. Areas of paint losses, one with a bigger paint loss (c. 5 cm x 6 cm), discolored retouching, and staining are visible. Both paintings show a small tear in the central part. Dimensions: 288 x 115.5 cm. Estimation : 4 400 € / 5 500 €

Provenance: Private collection Belgium

The present panels stand in the tradition of the China enthusiasm in 18th Century Europe.
They delight with their beautiful forms and fresh colors

The present wallpaper panels were most probably painted to order by a European, probably British family, and would have been part of a larger scheme.
These works depicted an ideal Chinese world, and derived from a general interest in exoticism, and from the desire for a peaceful ‘empire’ with literary and philosophically educated inhabitants.

Similar Chinese wallpaper, but with figures added can be found in the drawing room at Abbotsford, Sir Walter Scott’s house in Roxburghshire, Scotland. A fragment of similarly decorated Chinese wallpaper dating to 1752, see Peeling Back the Years: Chinese Wallpaper at Woburn Abbey currently on exhibition at Woburn Abbey, home to the Marquess and Marchioness of Tavistock.

AUCTIONATA. Art d'Asie, le 26 Juin 2014 à 6:00 pm CET. FRANKLINSTRASSE 13, 4. STOCK, D-10587 BERLIN. Tel: +49 30 9832 0221 - E-mail: vorgebot@auctionata.com