Wall Paper first began in China, no surprises here seeming they invented paper and it is believed they first began to glue rice paper to their walls in 200 B.C. However, painted walls/murals are dated back to the wall paintings of the Egyptians and the Romans.
By the 12th century wall paper had taken off in Europe as it was a cheaper alternative to fabric (however this was still the norm at the time) which covered walls and windows to keep drafts out, the upper classes also used elaborate fabrics/ tapestries on their walls.
It is believed that the first hand painted wall paper in Europe dates back to the early 1400s using a printing block method of religious scenes, this technique is known as 'helgen' but there is evidence to sugest that the Chinese began using this method since the 5th century.
The earliest wallpaper known to date in England was in 1509, proclaimed by Henry VIII and is thought to have been made by the York printed Hugo Goes. Wallpaper during this time was largely floral or like a mural, and wallpaper didn't really hit off until the Elizabethan times when people saw that the fine papers were also piratical.
Chinoiserie Wall Paper came into vogue during the 17th and 18th century when wall paper designers incorporated Chinese elements into their designs. This style came very popular among the European aristocracy. Chinoiserie wall paper depicts themes of China, including nature and floral themes and create a mural look on walls.
(Sources: worldsilkroad.com and wallpaperinstaller.com)
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