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Harewood House Wallpaper

by habituallychic

02 . 03 . 09

One of the most amazing sights at the Winter Antiques Show was the Chinese wallpaper in the Mallett Antiques booth that dated from 1765! The paper depicting rural scenes of Chinese life was possibly commissioned by Edwin Lascelles as part of the decoration of the newly built Harewood House in Yorkshire.

According to the Harewood House website, “In 1988 roughly 20 sheets of rolled Chinese wallpaper were found in the outbuildings of Harewood House. Subsequent research has shown that the rolls form a complete scheme which is likely to have been installed in the Chintz Bedroom of Harewood House in 1769. In the mid 1990s the sheets of wallpaper were conserved to a level that would allow them to be stored for future use.” And now they are for sale through Mallett and although they cost more than most American homes, they are very beautiful to look at! Enjoy!

The wallpaper conservator who is one of two people in Britain specialising in this type of work has said that the paper “is possibly the finest example of a Chinese wallpaper anywhere in the world.”

8 Comments
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  1. Grant K. Gibson "the blog" February 4, 2009 | 2:58 am

    That is quite possibly the most beautiful paper I have ever seen. Sad that I didn’t make it see in person.

  2. Amica February 4, 2009 | 4:49 am

    Wow… that is gorgeous. I bet it was stunning in person.
    Thanks for sharing!

  3. pve design February 4, 2009 | 11:34 am

    I love fine paper.

  4. Coffee with Cathy February 4, 2009 | 1:28 pm

    Incredible! Thank you so much for sharing these pics.

  5. Style Redux 2 February 4, 2009 | 3:12 pm

    I believe this is the paper from the Chintz Dressing Room. The paper from the Chintz Bedroom was restored and rehung in the East Bedroom. Everyone should visit the Harewood House web site for gorgeous pictures of the restoration, rehanging, and finished room with the most stunning chinoiserie.

  6. magnaverde February 4, 2009 | 4:47 pm

    In just the last few months, there was a magazine spread–probably in WoI–on a different room at Harewood House where they had installed part of this set & furnished the room with a suite of incredible sea-green-&-gilt Chinese Chippendale furniture. Yowza! This is the first time in ten years that I’ve missed the winter Antiques Show, and it’s killing me.

  7. Mélanie February 5, 2009 | 6:26 pm

    This wallpaper is gorgeous !I would have to loved to be abble to visit this antique show.

  8. Ciera March 2, 2009 | 5:26 pm

    Harewood House is beautiful but if you’re into English country houses, you should look up Chatsworth House. It was used as Pemberley in the latest version of Pride & Prejudice and is the most stunning stately home I’ve ever seen…