Pictures of Tilling and Weaving: (Re)interpreting the Chinese Wallpaper at Harewood House

Chinese wallpaper is a feature of many country houses across the UK. Imported as a luxury item through the trade networks of the East India Company, it embodied the growing cultural and commercial exchange between China and Europe during the 18th century. The Chinese wallpaper in the East Bedroom at Harewood House is one such example, but unlike the majority of wallpapers which feature symbolic motifs of birds and flowers, the Harewood wallpaper is instead comprised of depictions of people planting rice, harvesting tea, weaving silk and making porcelain. This talk will consider the history and significance of the Harewood Chinese wallpaper.

Chinese wallpaper at Harewood House, c1769. Detail of a scene showing people carrying porcelain clay and making bowls and plates.

In this talk, Louise Atkinson will explore the rich history and cultural significance of the Harewood wallpaper imagery, from its origins in Chinese visual culture and re-emergence as an…