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Object Timeline

  • We acquired this object.

-0001

1939

  • Work on this object ended.

2025

  • You found it!

Sample Book, Hand Blocked Wall Papers, Chinese Motif

This is a Sample book. It was designed by Zuber & Cie and published by Zuber & Cie. It is dated 1900–39. It is a part of the Smithsonian Libraries department.

In 1797, Jean Zuber founded the French wallpaper and fabric company Zuber & Cie. He established the factory headquarters in Rixheim, claiming to be the last production site of woodblock printed wallpapers and furnishing fabrics. Still in existence today, Zuber & Cie boasts over 100,000 woodblocks engraved between the 17th and 19th centuries. This wallpaper can be characterized as chinoiserie, meaning that its artistic influence is reminiscent of Chinese style. Chinoiserie gained popularity in the 17th century as Europeans developed a keen interest in exoticism through exposure to new trade items coming from the East India Trade Companies.

It is credited Collection of Smithsonian Institution Libraries.

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<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-4.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/68776123/ |title=Sample Book, Hand Blocked Wall Papers, Chinese Motif |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=11 February 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>