Chinoiserie
Western faux-Asian aesthetic
Chinoiserie is a European decorative style imitating or evoking Chinese art and design.
Popular from the 17th through 19th centuries, it features pagodas, dragons, stylized landscapes, and lacquerwork on furniture, porcelain, textiles, and architecture.
The style reflects Western imagination of China rather than authentic Chinese aesthetics: The room was decorated in elaborate chinoiserie, with hand-painted wallpaper and gilded screens.
Test garment material
- pagodaTiered Asian temple tower
- lacquerGlossy protective coating
- giltCovered with gold
- porcelainTranslucent fired clay
wallpaper · screen · cabinet · jardinière · commode · panel · mirror frame · chandelier
Lavishly ornamented decorative style
- eighteenth centuryYears 1701-1800
- VersaillesFrench royal palace complex
- CantonSwiss administrative district
- East India CompanyBritish colonial trading corporation
Madame de Pompadour · Grand Tour · cabinet of curiosities · Chippendale · exoticism · colonial · trading post · Delft
Open recreational structure
- pagodaTiered Asian temple tower
- tea houseEstablishment serving brewed leaves
- follyAbsence of good judgment
- gazeboRoofed outdoor shelter
moongate · lattice · summer house · orangery · grotto · bridge · belvedere · kiosk
Mythical fire-breathing reptiles
- bambooTall woody grass
- phoenixesSelf-resurrecting mythical birds
- peoniesBushy ornamental with ruffled blooms
- lotusSacred aquatic flower
cranes · clouds · mountains · bridges · pavilions · mandarins · monkeys · butterflies
Fine woven insect fiber
- damaskReversible figured fabric
- embroideryDecorative stitching on fabric
- brocadeRaised-pattern luxury fabric
- taffetaSmooth, lustrous woven cloth
printed cotton · chintz · satin · velvet · upholstery · drapery · cushions · needlework
toile
Test garment material
porcelain · wallpaper · screen · cabinet · jardinière · commode · panel · mirror frame · chandelier · ormolu
Rococo
Lavishly ornamented decorative style
- eighteenth centuryYears 1701-1800
- VersaillesFrench royal palace complex
- CantonSwiss administrative district
Madame de Pompadour · East India Company · Grand Tour · cabinet of curiosities · Chippendale · exoticism · colonial · trading post · Delft · Kangxi
pavilion
Open recreational structure
- pagodaTiered Asian temple tower
- tea houseEstablishment serving brewed leaves
- follyAbsence of good judgment
gazebo · moongate · lattice · summer house · orangery · grotto · bridge · belvedere · kiosk · alcove
dragons
Mythical fire-breathing reptiles
- bambooTall woody grass
- phoenixesSelf-resurrecting mythical birds
- peoniesBushy ornamental with ruffled blooms
lotus · cranes · clouds · mountains · bridges · pavilions · mandarins · monkeys · butterflies · blossoms
silk
Fine woven insect fiber
- damaskReversible figured fabric
- embroideryDecorative stitching on fabric
- brocadeRaised-pattern luxury fabric
printed cotton · taffeta · chintz · satin · velvet · upholstery · drapery · cushions · needlework · tapestry
- ornamentationornaments, ornament, ornamentation, ornamental, embellishment
- decorative stylesArt Nouveau, Rococo, Victorian, Georgian, Baroque
- design stylesart deco, Art Nouveau, art nouveau, Bauhaus, minimalism
- Victorian decorVictorian design, parlour, drawing room, fainting couch, ornate patterns
- decorative artsdecorative arts, topiary, enamelwork, applied arts, ornamental design
- Design HistoryArt Nouveau, Bauhaus, mid-century modern, Modernism, Postmodernism
ChinoiserieAmericana
Heritage artifacts or music
Scandinavian design · Egyptomania · Mediterranean style · Africanism
ChinoiserieNeoclassicism
Revival of ancient aesthetics
Palladian · Palladian style · Federal style · Gothic Revival · Georgian style