Chinoiserie
/ˌʃiːnwɑːˈzɛəri/noun
A decorative style in art and design that imitates or is inspired by Chinese motifs, especially as interpreted in 18th-century Europe.
Did you know?Chinoiserie emerged in 17th- and 18th-century Europe as part of a broader craze for East Asian goods, showing how trade could transform foreign objects into a whole imagined aesthetic.
Etymological Timeline
17th Century
French
chinoiserie
“Chinese-style ornamentation or imitation of Chinese art and design”
French
French
chinois
“Chinese”
Late Latin
Latin
Sinae
“China, the Chinese people”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Kînai
“China”
Modern English
English
chinoiserie
“A decorative style inspired by Chinese art and motifs”