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A once in a lifetime find. I was so very very fortunate to have been offered a private mural collection ~ this is one of the astonishing pieces in this collection. This remarkable mural is an antique , original, unused, 1920 Sanderson “Oriental Garden” scenic mural on an extraordinary soft yellow ground — one of the most ambitious and theatrical chinoiserie wallpapers produced in early 20th century England. I have fully unrolled the teal version of this mural however To protect this very important yellow example from handling wear, I have intentionally unrolled only one panel so you can see the remarkable yellow ground and vivid block printed detail — the design is identical to the teal version, simply printed on this glowing warm yellow ground. This is the original ground tone of Oriental Garden has printed in the early 1920's ~
“Oriental Garden” unfolds as a continuous panoramic landscape inspired by 18th century English chinoiserie wallcoverings, Chinese export paintings, and Japanese screen imagery. Flowering trees, stylized scholar’s rocks, flowing water, layered botanicals, and exotic pheasants — both perched and in flight — create a dramatic garden narrative that reads panel by panel like a painted folding screen.
This is not a repeating wallpaper. It was designed as a panoramic composition meant to be installed sequentially, creating a fully immersive interior. It is EXTRAORDINARY! It can be used on a single statement wall or wrapped around an entire room for breathtaking effect ~
Sanderson was one of the last great English firms to continue true hand block printing at this scale in the early 20th century. The crisp linework, layered pigments, subtle registration shifts, and velvety matte surface are all hallmarks of traditional hand block printing. This is the peak of that artistry.
It is a sturdy medium weight traditional paper with a rich matte surface.
ABOUT THE EXTENSION PANELS (IMPORTANT)
Sanderson’s scenic murals were designed as a modular panoramic system rather than a fixed-width composition.
The design consists of principal scenic panels — carrying the main pictorial elements — along with separate extension panels intended to be inserted between specific panels when additional width was required.
Rather than repeating a scenic panel (which would duplicate birds or trees and interrupt the visual narrative), the extension panels were deliberately composed with transitional foliage, water, and landscape elements, allowing the panorama to expand seamlessly.
Extension panels were sold separately and ordered only when required. Because of this, they are frequently missing today, but not in this MURAL ~
This example retains three original extension panels, making it a notably complete and flexible surviving mural set.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Manufacturer: Arthur Sanderson & Son Country of origin: England Date: 1920 Design: Oriental Garden Technique: Hand block printed Format: Scenic panoramic mural Ground color: Yellow Finish: Traditional matte paper surface
Total panels: 13 panels Including: 3 extension panels Each panel measures approximately 22.5 inches wide
If all panels are installed, the total width is approximately 292.5 inches (24.4 feet).
CONDITION
This lovely wallpaper is in as found antique condition. Signs of time and use are often inherent in antique and vintage textiles. There may be minor edge wear, gentle toning, or light handling marks consistent with careful storage over the past century. I have intentionally minimized unrolling to preserve its condition.
Please use the zoom feature on the photographs to see the exact condition!~
Papers of this scale and integrity rarely survive intact, especially with extension panels present. Using antique scenic wallpaper today is one of the most ecofriendly ways to decorate — preserving traditional artistry while creating interiors with depth, history, and soul. This is truly an antique of the future, designed to pass down from generation to generation.