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Howard Shattuck |
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Chinoiserie is the term for western imitations or adaptations of Chinese art. Historically it applies to objects made in the seventeenth and eighteenth century; however, the style continued in the nineteenth century and still enjoys periodic revivals.
The origin of the style lies in the fabled stories of the few travelers to visit China starting in the Middle Ages. Tales of an exotic culture very different from the West were supported by the beautiful objects brought back by returning travelers. By the seventeenth century, East Indian Trading Companies were importing large quantities of porcelain, lacquer, ivory and silk, creating a huge demand for Chinese luxury goods. To meet the demand, European artists and craftsmen produced their own adaptations, Chinese in inspiration, but always European in approach.
In order to understand the European fascination with the exotic decoration of East Asia, you need to understand its impact on the eighteenth century perception of the world through the eyes of a wealthy, educated, upper class European. Quality materials, workmanship and the unique were prized as symbols of status, culture and a sophistication which was re-emerging since the Italian Renaissance of the fifteenth century. The cultures of East Asia for many thousands of years had a variety of materials and techniques not known to the West. |
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Aged Regency Finished
Flat Screen TV Cabinet, Red Chinoiserie, Cabriole Leg. Holds up to a 42" flat panel TV. |
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Lacquer, porcelain and silk were prized by knowledgeable western consumers, as they were proof positive of expensive acquisitions when displayed in European homes of the European decorated room.
A contributing factor to the style is the substitution of materials unavailable to seventeenth and early eighteenth century European artisans, particularly porcelain and lacquer. Blue and white Delftware and Japanned furniture are Chinoiserie inspired alternatives to Chinese imports. By the Rococo period of the eighteenth century the style was pervasive and influenced furniture, wallpaper, garden ornament and decorative objects. The asymmetrical division of space and East Asian concept in design can be seen in the fantastic, elaborate carvings and decorations of the high Rococo style.
The enduring style of Chinoiserie, a product of the golden age of Western furniture and the decorative arts, occupies a unique place in the history of design and continues to enrich and inspire our world. |
