A History of Chinoiserie — Part III: At Home in the Country House
Great Hall, Hampton Court Palace (image: joyofmuseums.com)
Perhaps no environment is better suited to the elegance and refinement of Chinoiserie than the Great House, and it is within these architectural masterpieces that the Chinoiserie style reached the pinnacle of its development.
Before the advent of Chinoiserie, the walls of medieval European halls and palaces were typically hung with tapestries. These woven artworks served not only as much-needed insulation, but also as storytelling media, depicting scenes from history, mythology, and everyday life. These tapestries were a testament to the craftsmanship of the time and a precursor to the rich visual narratives that Chinoiserie would later bring.
As trade routes expanded and European merchants increasingly brought back treasures from the Far East, the European — and particularly English — country house underwent a transformation. Silk, porcelain, and lacquerware from China ignited the imagination of the great and good. In Britain, Queen Mary II amassed an enormous collection of Chinese porcelain and sparked what was known as China Mania among the nobility.
“Brokers’ shops are filled with China-ware, ladies’ apartments are crowded with it, and several houses seem to be made of it.”
Bamboo wallpaper at Belton House (image: National Trust / Martin Trelawny)
One of the most popular uses of Chinoiserie was for wall coverings. Unlike the tapestries of old, Chinoiserie wallpapers were lighter, brighter, and often featured pastoral scenes, flora, and fauna, all rendered with an artistic liberty that only added to their charm. Their representations of an exotic and little-known country reflected their owners’ worldliness and sophistication.
Belton House in Lincolnshire, now in the collection of the National Trust but then in the ownership of the Brownlow family, boasts some of the earliest Chinese wallpapers in the British Isles, dating back to 1740s. These hand-painted masterpieces are a testament not only to the artistry of their creators, but also to the perfection of their setting within the British stately home.
The State Bedroom at Erdigg (image: National Trust / Andreas von Einsiedel)
Erddig Hall in Wrexham, then home of the Earls of Hardwicke, is one of the earliest examples of the trend for coloured wallpapers that reflected the European taste. The paper in its State Bedroom is exquisitely decorated with flowers and birds against a pale green background. It stands as a beautiful reminder of the time when the British country house was not just a home but a statement of style and sophistication.
The fascination with Chinoiserie was not just a passing trend but a lasting movement that has left an indelible mark on the British and European country house. Today, Chinoiserie remains a beloved style, its legacy preserved in the historic homes of Europe. It continues to inspire designers and homeowners alike, offering a timeless link to a period when the world seemed vast and full of mystery.
The country house, with its Chinoiserie decor, stands as a monument to the value of cultural exchange and the enduring human desire to blend the best of all worlds into something uniquely beautiful.