chinoiserie (sheen-WUZ΄-er-ee)

      Chinoiserie is a decorative style, especially popular in the 18^th century, in which Chinese motifs—authentic or dreamed up by Westerners—were applied to furniture, screens, wallpaper, porcelain and other decorative accessories.  Some chinoiserie actually came from China (often with designs tailored specifically to the Western market) but much of it was produced in the West.

             For example, the 18^th-century English furniture maker Thomas Chippendale designed many pieces in what he called the “Chinese” style.  These included chairs and bookcases with elaborate fretwork, beds in the shape of pagodas, and wooden mirrors carved in the form of Chinese lanterns.

             Fine art during the 18^th century was also influenced by the craze for chinoiserie.  French artists Jean-Antoine Watteau and François Boucher included dragons, exotic birds and other Chinese motifs in their paintings.

              Chinoiserie is still popular today, often as part of the eclectic English country house look.  Here's how Traditional Home used the term on its website:
             “A traditional four-poster ivory-painted chinoiserie-style tester bed from Mary McDonald, Inc., is a visual feast with open fretwork, faux bamboo in bas-relief, and pagoda-style finials.”   (traditionalhome.com)

Louis XV chinoiserie secretaire.