From London to Gangjin Byeongyeongseong: A Design Journey Embedded in a 1944 Wallpaper
1. Texture Analysis: The Illusion of ‘Fabric’ Woven onto Paper The original Japanese colonial-era wallpaper ‘Soonae,’ discovered in an early 1940s historic home near Byeongyeongseong Fortress in Gangjin, South Jeolla Province, alongside the...
From Eurasia to Joseon: The Byzantine Legacy Transformed
1. The Byzantine Octagram and Its Two Paths The interlocking cross pattern at the heart of this design originates in the mosaic and decorative arts of the Byzantine Empire. The Byzantine decorative grammar — defined by its pursuit of geometric precision — spread in...
Embroidered in Silver: A 1943 Spot Floral Wallpaper
1. The Design’s Origin: Fabric Applied to the Wall — the ‘Spot Floral’ From the late 19th into the early 20th century, a distinct current emerged in the French and British wallpaper markets — separate from the grand damask and stripe traditions. This...
Warp and Weft on Paper: The Colonial-Era Damask and the Economy of Modern Taste
1. Anatomy of a Design: Fabric Applied to the Wall — ‘Textile Emulation’ This wallpaper belongs to the lineage of authentic European damask textile design. What first catches the eye is the X-shaped ribbon trellis — diagonal ribbons crossing to form a...
