A brief history of wallpaper
Discover the fascinating design history of wallpaper through our vast collection
Wallpaper
For most of its history, wallpaper has been the poor relation of the decorative arts. Fragile, ephemeral, and easy to replace, wallpaper has often disappeared from the historical record. The V&A began collecting wallpapers from its foundation in 1856, and today has one of the finest collections in the world.
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Our wallpaper collection reveals the fascinating history of its evolution from the first black and white patterns in the 16th century, through to 18th-century flock designs, Chinese hand-painted papers, architectural papers, designs by William Morris and the Arts and Crafts Movement, and modernist and contemporary designs in the 20th century.
Collection highlights
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Panel of Chinese wallpaper, about 1750 – 1800, China -
Unused sheet of wallpaper, about 1780 – 1800, England -
Wallpaper illustrating the Crystal Palace, manufactured by Heywood, Higginbottom & Smith, about 1853 – 55, Manchester, England -
(Inside) Page from a sample book of wallpapers supplied for the decoration of the Palace of Westminster, A.W.N Pugin, 1851 – 59, England -
Wallpaper, designed by Owen Jones, manufactured by Townsend, Parker & Co., about 1852 – 74, Britain -
Portion of a classical 'pillar and arch' wallpaper, about 1769, England -
Panel of red flock wallpaper, identical in pattern with the paper formerly hung in the Queen's Drawing Room at Hampton Court Palace, about 1735, England -
Tits in Space, wallpaper, by Sarah Lucas, manufactured by The Archive Printing Company Ltd., 2000, UK -
Portion of wallpaper with a design commemorating Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, by F. Scott & Son, 1887, Hawick, England -
Portion of Lunar wallpaper, designed by Michael Clarke, manufactured by Cole & Son, 1964, England -
Acanthus, wallpaper, designed by William Morris, manufactured by Jeffrey & Co., 1875, Britain -
Portion of 'Provence' wallpaper, designed by Lucienne Day, manufactured by John Line & Sons Ltd., 1951, England
Features
Wallpaper: health and cleanliness
Discover the evolution of 'healthy' wallpapers
Wallpaper design reform
How the Great Exhibition of 1851 kick-started a programme of raising standards in wallpaper design
Flock wallpaper
Find out about the rise and fall of the most velvety of wallpapers
Architectural wallpapers
Tracing the popularity and eventual rejection of wallpapers imitating architecture
Chinese wallpapers and the chinoiserie style
The introduction of Chinese wallpapers in the 17th century sparked a fashion that lasted a century
William Morris and wallpaper design
Many of Morris's wallpapers are still used to decorate modern homes. But when they first appeared they struggled to win universal acclaim.
A history of shopping for wallpaper
The art of buying wallpaper from the 17th century to now
Wallpapers for children
Discover the history of wallpaper designed for children
Fallen Fruit at the V&A
How Californian artists Fallen Fruit created a unique 'fruity' portrait of the V&A
Header image: 'Fruit' (or 'Pomegranate') wallpaper pattern, designed by William Morris, manufactured by Jeffrey & Co., 1866, England. Museum no. E.447-1919. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London