Chinoiserie

Photo featuring Chinoiserie courtesy of Decorati partner, R.L. Goins.

The Chinoiserie style, at its height from 1750 to 1765, derived from the French word for Chinese—’chinois’ and was inspired by art and design from China, Japan and other Asian countries. In the 18th century, active trading between with China and Japan and other countries resulted in broadscale importation of porcelains, silks and lacquerware and in a resultant upsurge in the popularity of their imagery and shapes.

Designers and craftsmen in England began imitating the designs as well as creating their own imaginative interpretations. Chinoiserie drew on the exotic concepts 18th–century designers held of Asia—to them the continent seemed to be a fantastic and mysterious land. Typifying the Chinoiserie style were sweeping pagoda-forms and such embellishments as dragons, decorative latticework, and real or imitation lacquer surfaces in reds, blues and golds. Other common features included people wearing Chinese clothing and fanciful landscapes with fabulous birds and pavilions.

Written by Donna Sapolin.

Chinoiserie Style Products on Decorati
Chinese Export Table by John Widdicomb	Chinoiserie Mirror Wall Light by Vaughan	Chinese Chippendale Chest by John Hall Designs	Ascot Armoire with Chinoiserie by Martin Pierce

VIEW EXAMPLES OF CHINOISERIE FURNITURE ON DECORATI

“Chinoiserie vs. Japanning - People often confuse the two. Chinoiserie applies to the painted landscapes, embroidered tapestries and silks, and carved figurines that depict Cathay (a medieval vision of China). Japanning is the process of layering lacquer. As trade brought lacquered furniture into Europe, European craftsmen began to produce their own recipes for lacquer and added their own chinoiserie designs.” — Chinoiserie in Decorating, SouthernAccents.com

Chinoiserie Style Products on Decorati
Spying on China by Studio Printworks	Chinoiserie Baroque Bleu by Clarence House	Aberdeen Garden by Paul Montgomery Studio	Pagodas by Adelphi Paper Hangings

EXAMPLES OF ROOMS THAT INCORPORATE CHINOISERIE:

Photo featuring Chinoiserie courtesy of Decorati partner, R.L. Goins.

Photo featuring Chinoiserie courtesy of interior designer, Lynne Rutter.

OTHER ONLINE RESOURCES:

Southern Accents - Chinoiserie in Decorating

Learn About Style - Chinoiserie

Sack Heritage Group - Chinoiserie

Associated Content - Chinoiserie: The Process and the Connection to Japanning

The Getty - Imagining the Orient

Chinoiserie Style Products on Decorati
Rialto Bed by Patina Inc.	Fairlane Tray Table by The Squires Company	Chengdu Secretary by Mario Grimaldi	Queen Anne Barrel Chair by Smith & Watson

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