Scenic Wallpaper

Fetes de la Grece et Jeux Olympique, 1818

Fetes de la Grece et Jeux Olympique, handblocked in 1818, is an original first edition wallpaper created by Dufour. It was hand blocked on joined sheets, with 30 lengths total.

The wallpaper had been installed in a room with archways, several doorways, an alcove and multiple inside and outside corners. The wallpaper was carefully removed from every surface and delivered to the preservation studio.

John Nalewaja then inspected the paper and prepared a restoration plan for the artist to follow. The paper was cleaned, and the artist in-painted and restored any areas that suffered paint loss during the removal and reinstallation process. 

John and his assistants make every effort to minimize paint loss and reattach even very small flakes of paint to preserve each panel. Interestingly, the paint lost during the removal and reinstallation process is generally from earlier in-painting and restoration. Original paint tends to be quite stable, so clients can be confident that their antique papers are as complete and original as possible. 

Once the boards with the newly restored scenes were completed, they were delivered to the client who then hung them in her new residence, continuing a relationship with the lovely antique scenic wallpaper. 

See more of our Antique Wallpaper restorations here.