The oldest surviving chinoiserie (Chinese-style) garden pavilion in Britain Western Europe's fascination with Chinese artistic influences led to the commissioning of the Chinese House which depicts Chinese scenes and writing. Constructed by 1738, it is thought to have been designed by William Kent and decorated by Francesco Sleter.
A house on stilts
It was originally "situated in a pond" on poles, entered by "a bridge adorn'd with Chinese vases with flowers in them" between the Elysian Fields and Hawkwell Field.
As the design of Stowe Gardens developed, the house was first moved to the family's nearby estate of Wotton, and then to Harristown House, Ireland in 1959. The painted decoration was refreshed and modified several times over the centuries.
Returning to Stowe
After acquiring Stowe Landscape Gardens in 1989, the Chinese House was purchased following a fundraising campaign. It was unveiled to the public in 1998 in its new location near the Palladian Bridge, as the original location no longer exists. The figures on the interior walls were copied from paintings of Chinese deities and immortals, which were produced for
export to the West
Peeling back the layers
The Chinese House is made from pine panels fixed to an oak frame and decorated with oil paint. It is exceptionally vulnerable to extreme temperatures and humidity, driving rain and sunlight.
In 2017, the exterior of the building underwent conservation work with flaking paint consolidated. The building was carefully cleaned and then given a protective layer of varnish. After a generous donation by the Royal Oak Foundation, the interior of the building was also cleaned, with flaking paint fixed back into place.
Source: Local signage