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The history of wallpapers, Part 1.

The history of wallpapers, Part 1.
The different types of wallpaper nowadays have only a decorative function and most of us do not vote for one or another wallpaper because of its thermal insulation ability. For centuries, however, the insulation capabilities of various wall coverings often played a greater role than their external appearance. But how were the first wallpapers created?

It is true that we can talk about paper production in Europe since the 14th century, but paper was not really used to make wall coverings until the 16th century. In addition, until the beginning of its large-scale industrial production in the 19th century, paper, including the wallpapers made from it, were relatively expensive, so only the wealthiest could afford the use of such wall coverings. Of course, various wall coverings and wallpapers were made before this, but their raw material was usually leather, velvet, or even silk. Of course, such wallpapers could only be found in the homes of the aristocracy, as for most people they belonged to the category of unaffordable luxury. As in the case of all home furnishing objects and accessories, it can also be observed with wallpapers that they were always aligned with the style features of the given period of art history, that is, with their appearance, they faithfully reflected the spirit of the given period, the values ​​and way of thinking of the people.


The influence of the Renaissance can be clearly felt on the wall coverings of the 15th and 16th centuries. At that time, the most important raw material for these was rag leather and expensive fabrics such as damask, velvet, and brocade. In terms of colors, mainly the lighter ones dominated, but burgundy and gold often appeared, which symbolized superiority and power. Floral designs and symmetrically placed Moorish motifs were popular, but wallpapers decorated with family coats of arms or depicting heroic stories were not uncommon either.


From the beginning of the 17th century, the increasingly strong influence of the Baroque can also be detected in the appearance of wallpapers. The basic materials remained unchanged, although the first paper-based wallpapers appeared, but in the case of colors and patterns, we can find a variety that was not seen before. Overdecoration and splendor are one of the most defining stylistic features of the Baroque, which was also reflected in the wooden coverings. Powerful colors, rich, meticulously developed, intricate, yet monumental patterns. They often used contrasting colors on the same wallpaper, as the goal was to create a strong contrasting effect. In many cases, gold appeared on the wallpapers not only as a color, but they were inlaid with real gold. This luxury can be experienced not only in secular, but also in ecclesiastical circles, meaning that wall coverings inspired by the Bible were not rare either. From the beginning of the 18th century, the strict symmetry of the Baroque was broken by the features of the Rococo. The forms became slightly more refined and the most frequently appearing motifs became the various shell patterns, which were often placed asymmetrically on the wallpaper. At that time, hand-painted wall coverings brimming with exotic motifs from the Far East were considered the true pinnacle of luxury in the field of wallpaper.


The dominant stylistic trend of the end of the 18th century and the first half of the 19th century, which was also reflected in the appearance of wallpapers, was classicism. Strictly symmetrical patterns returned, but the overdecoration of the Baroque had completely disappeared. The most frequently appearing motifs were laurel wreaths and symmetrically arranged columns. The 19th century brought about a significant change in the world of wallpaper, as thanks to the industrial revolution mass production of paper started, so paper-based wallpapers became much more affordable and these wall coverings appeared in the homes of the upper ten thousand people as well as in the apartments of the bourgeoisie.