[Wallpaper] Sample book of Japanese leather wallpaper

Ca. 1900. Album containing 41 samples of "kinkarankaragami", Japanese leather wallpaper, some w. Rath & Doodeheefver label verso. Beautiful gilded designs of mostly floral motifs. 27 x 30 cm.

Some sm. cracks in samples, edges sl. worn. The 'leather' effect of the wallpaper is achieved by placing moist paper on carved wood, then beating it with a brush until the design is embossed. After the paper dries, it is then painted, gilded, and treated to render it waterproof. This style of wallpaper became popular in the West in the late 19th cent.