19. - 20. gs. mijas tapetes SIA "Arhitektoniskās izpētes grupa" kolekcijā
Wallpaper from the Turn of the 20th Century in the Collection of the Architectural Investigation Group

Summary/Abstract: This article analyses wallpaper design from a rather narrow period – the turn of the centuries (from 1890s to 1914) and uses original materials found in the archives of Architectural Investigation Group (AIG). The AIG archives host one of the largest historical wallpaper collections in Latvia. It is predominantly comprised of wallpaper samples from the turn of the 20th century (360 units in total). This is a particularly prominent period in Latvian art history with its pluralism of stylistic schools, new tendencies in visual arts and quests for unified interior ensembles characteristic of Art Nouveau, all of which is well reflected in wallpaper design.The collection’s samples can be classified according to their material as well as stylistic tendencies in ornament design. Depending on the characteristics of the material, two main groups can be distinguished: smooth wallpaper (339 samples in total) and relief wallpaper (21 sample), which can be further classified according to surface treatment or manufacturing materials. Smooth wallpaper is made of paper – the most popular material. Most of the collection consists of the so-called natural wallpaper, whereby one of the motif colours or background colour is supplied by the actual paper mass (approximately 210 samples). Usually this type of wallpaper is printed using glue-based paint with 2 to 6 tones. The second type of smooth wallpaper is manufactured by printing the ornament separately on an already coloured surface (121 samples). The third type of wallpaper imitates the texture of velvet fabric and is also classed as smooth wallpaper (8 samples). Relief wallpaper was manufactured from paper mass as well as other materials. Lincrust wallpaper was among one of the best and long-lasting types of such wallpaper. The Swedish owned cork production factory Wickander & Larson established in 1886 in Liepaja first manufactured this wallpaper in 1901. The AIG collection holds only six samples of Lincrust wallpaper of various quality and eight photo documented examples. If material characteristics are compared, then Anaglypta finishes share similar qualities with Lincrust wallpaper. Although this type of wall covering was not manufactured in Latvia, examples were found during investigation at Jekaba Street 3/5 in Riga and the collection now has 2 samples. Towards the end of 19th century relief wallpaper made from paper mass and imitating leather became particularly popular in Historicism interiors (5 samples). Wallpaper with leather imitation was manufactured in low relief and its ornament copies other historical periods such as Baroque and Rococo. However, regardless of the manufacturing material, the ornament design as well as the choice of motifs reflected the stylistic tendencies of the change of 19th and 20th centuries.

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