Chinoiserie is a European art movement based on Chinese and Japanese models which was very fashionable in the 17th and 18th century. Porcelain, lacquer, silk, as well as Chinese paper and silk wallpapers are the main elements of this decorative design era.
European art movement
Europeans often had a somewhat romantic idea of countries such as China, Japan or India, thinking of them as exotic, peaceful gigantic kingdoms. Coupled with their enthusiasm for the respective arts and crafts of those mysterious lands, this led to the blossoming of Chinoiserie as an independent art form between 1650 and 1820. It is divided into imitative, freely imagined and romanticising Chinoiserie.
Chinese and Japanese models
In Chinoiserie, everything that is known about China and Japan and considered typical by Europeans can become a pattern motif. Some examples are pagodas, pavilions, Asian flower patterns, historical representations of people and landscape scenes. In addition, there are whimsical exotic fantasies, some of which appear bizarre, humorous and like sympathetic caricatures.
Inspired by porcelain, lacquer or silk
Chinese arts and crafts are predominantly characterised by porcelain, lacquer and silk. Chinoiserie is usually a mix of genuine originals and European arts. Copying originals, including hand-painted porcelain, lacquer work and silk painting, is another feature of Chinoiserie, which is given a new perspective by European influences.
Chinese paper and silk wallpapers
In China, silk wallpapers were produced as early as the Han dynasty (206 B.D. - 220 A.D.) as embroidered lengths of silk. From the 4th century onwards, paper wallpapers (bamboo/linen) were hand-painted with Far Eastern motifs. In the 16th century, Chinese wallpapers were introduced to the European market. This was the beginning of Chinoiserie wallpaper production in Europe.