The Eldorado series was first produced by Zuber in 1849, and was so popular that it was reissued in 100 copies every two years until about 1870. It continued in production at intervals and is still available today. It pictures a sequence of lush exotic un-peopled landscapes in which each of the four (then-) known continents - Europe, Asia, Africa and America - is represented by its native plants and characteristic architecture. El Dorado, a mythical region or city of great wealth and opportunity, often thought to be located in South America, had come to stand as a symbol for riches and abundance. To buy such a decoration, which was itself expensive, was an overt display of the owner's wealth. This wallpaper (and similar decorations from other French wallpaper manufacturers, such as Defosse) was a seductive illusory equivalent of the conservatories and winter gardens that were features of the grandest houses at the time.
Physical description
Panel of panoramic wallpaper showing a view with palms and exotic plants; Colour print from wood blocks, on paper.
Place of Origin
Rixheim, France (manufactured)
Date
ca. 1915 (printed)
Artist/maker
Fuchs, Joseph (designer)
Zuber & Cie. (manufacturer)
Materials and Techniques
Colour woodblock print, on paper
Marks and inscriptions
ELDORADO / J. ZUBER & CIE / RIXHEIM / 1797 / 1915
Dimensions
Length: 172.8 cm, Width: 57.3 cm
Object history note
Given by Mr W. L. Wood.
The 'Eldorado series was first produced by Zuber circa 1848, from designs by George Zipelius (1808-90) and Ehrmann (worked 1830-post-1857), painters and wallpaper designers.
Descriptive line
Panel from the 'Eldorado' panoramic wallpaper, showing a view with palms and exotic plants; Colour print from wood blocks, on paper; Produced by Zuber et Cie, Rixheim, French; ca.1915.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Entwisle, E. A. French Scenic Wallpaper (1800-1860. Leigh-on-Sea, 1972.
Fig 9.
Olligs, H. Tapeten. Ihre Geschichte bis zur Gegenwart. Brunswick. 1969-70. vol 2.
Fig 483 (colour).
Oman, Charles C., and Hamilton, Jean. Wallpapers: a history and illustrated catalogue of the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. London: Sotheby Publications, in association with the Victoria and Albert Museum, 1982.
The full text of the entry is as follows:
'616
Panel of panoramic paper showing a view with palms and exotic plants
No. 1 from the 'Eldorado' series, produced by Zuber et Cie, Rixheim
Circa 1915
Colour print from wood blocks
172.8 x 57.3 cm
Given by Mr W. L. Wood
E.2901-1938 neg B.67
The 'Eldorado series was first produced by Zuber circa 1848, from designs by George Zipelius (1808-90) and Ehrmann (worked 1830-post-1857), painters and wallpaper designers. Entwisle, FS, fig 9; Olligs, vol 2, fig 483 (colour).
See also 'England': no 316.'
NB: The 'no 316' referred to above is V&A object E.816-1969.
Saunders, Gill. Wallpaper in Interior Decoration. V&A Publications. London. 2002. pp. 89. pl 74.
An excerpt of the entry is as follows:
'The Eldorado series was first produced by Zuber in 1849, and is still available today. It pictured a sequence of lush exotic unpeopled landscapes in which each of the four main continents - Europe, Asia, Africa and America - is represented by its native plants and characteristic architecture. El Dorado, a mythical golden city, had come to stand for riches and abundance. To choose such a decoration, which was itself expensive, was an overt display of the owner's wealth. This wallpaper (and similar decorations from Defossé, for example) was a seductive illusory equivalent of the conservatories and winter gardens which were features of the grandest houses at the time.'
Victoria and Albert Museum, Department of Engraving, Illustration and Design & Department of Paintings, Accessions 1938. London: The Board of Education, 1939.
The full text of the record is as follows:
'ANONYMOUS (Wall-papers, French).
[...]
Panel of wall-paper: view with palms and exotic plants. No.1 from Eldorado series. Made by J. Zuber & Cie, Rixheim, Alsace-Lorraine. French, c.1915.
Colour print from wood blocks.
E.2901-1938.
Given by Mr. W.L. Wood.'
Production Note
The 'Eldorado series was first produced by Zuber circa 1848, from designs by George Zipelius (1808-90) and Ehrmann (worked 1830-post-1857), painters and wallpaper designers.
Materials
Paper
Techniques
Colour woodblock print
Subjects depicted
Scenic wallpapers; Vegetation; Landscape, tropical
Categories
Prints; Interiors; Wall coverings
Collection code
PDP
