Zuber & Cie: The Enduring Legacy of French Scenic Wallpaper

Founded in Rixheim, France, in 1797, Zuber & Cie holds the remarkable distinction of being the world’s oldest wallpaper manufacturer still in operation. Esteemed globally, Zuber represents a significant repository of French decorative arts heritage, particularly renowned for its magnificent panoramic wallpapers produced using unique, time-honoured techniques.

The legacy of Zuber is inextricably linked to the golden age of French scenic wallpaper. Its creations adorned the most prestigious interiors throughout the 19th century, earning accolades such as the Legion of Honour for founder Jean Zuber in 1834. Zuber’s panoramas, depicting grand landscapes and historical events, became benchmarks of luxury. Preserving this unique heritage, the company was acquired by the esteemed French design house Pierre Frey in 2023, ensuring its continuation.

Zuber’s enduring allure lies in its unwavering commitment to the traditional 18th-century woodblock printing process (impression à la planche). Each colour and element is printed using meticulously hand-carved pearwood blocks, many dating back centuries. With over 130,000 historic blocks classified as French Monuments Historiques, the atelier painstakingly layers colours onto hand-brushed paper, achieving a depth and matte richness unattainable by other means. This intricate process makes each Zuber panel a unique piece of handcrafted history.

The Zuber archive contains some of the most celebrated scenic wallpapers ever created. Designs like « Vues de l’Amérique du Nord, » famously installed in the White House, « Eldorado, » and « Vues du Brésil, » remain highly sought after historical documents in decor. These panoramic masterpieces offer journeys through expansive vistas, continuing to captivate designers and connoisseurs worldwide.

Official website of the brand: zuber.fr