History of Wallcovering

Archaeologists tell us that cave art dates back several thousand years B.C. Experts are unsure why our ancient ancestors chose to represent images on their cave walls. Perhaps future archaeologists will be equally or more baffled about our more modern love affair with wallpaper.

Evidence exists that the Chinese hand painted landscapes and birds on rice paper as early as 200 B.C. However, it wasn’t until the 16th Century that these oriental prints were imported  to Europe. Some of the delay was caused by the predominance of hanging textiles over walls. During this period, the affluent homes were built of stone, so the practicality of textile hangings was used to keep down the cold and dampness of these castles. Wallpaper was soon to become the ‘poor man’s tapestry,’ an imitation of the expensive textiles used in royal households.

The demand for wallpaper grew rapidly and by 1599 a recognized guild, known as the Dominotiers’ was established in France. The Dominotiers were also responsible for introducing the process of using wood blocks with the design cut into the surface to be used for printing.

The development of a repeating pattern was introduced by a Frenchman, Jean Papillon, in 1675. He is said to be the real inventor of wallpaper as we know it today, by advancing our technique to match a repeat on all sides, while still utilizing the wooden blocks…

(edited article from– http://wallpaperhistory.com/VintageWallpaperGuide/)