Desire for novelty and otherness

Chinoiserie is the interpretation and idyllic representation of Chinese and East Asian culture. The word derives from “chinois,” the French word for “Chinese.” The style movement is characterised by its romanticised, theatrical and playful perceptions of life in the Far East. As a creative style Chinoiserie can be identified by extravagant decoration, asymmetry, stylised Chinese motifs and a focus on the Chinese lifestyle. 

Born from orientalism, Chinoiserie started in the mid-to-late 17th century and became popular in Europe as part of the French Rocco movement around the 18th century, the style is widely seen as the last expression of the Baroque movement. Europe became fascinated with the East as a result of Chinese goods being imported by English, Dutch, French, and Swedish East India Companies. 

Wallpapers by Harrison Howard.

Furniture, interiors