chinoiserie
Americannoun
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a style of ornamentation current chiefly in the 18th century in Europe, characterized by intricate patterns and an extensive use of motifs identified as Chinese.
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an object decorated in this style or an example of this style.
The clock was an interesting chinoiserie.
noun
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a style of decorative or fine art based on imitations of Chinese motifs
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an object or objects in this style
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of chinoiserie
1880–85; < French, equivalent to chinois Chinese + -erie -ery
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In his 1993 autobiography, “That’s the Way I See It,” he wrote, “I had seen many productions of ’Turandot,’ most of them kitsch beyond belief, overdone Chinoiserie, and too many dragons.
From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2024
Chinoiserie, Persian gardens, Mughal painting motifs and art from Japan’s Edo period all make an appearance in Liberty of London’s Botanical Atlas collection.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 19, 2024
Over at Shrubsole, I couldn’t look away from the contemporaneous Chinoiserie “epergne,” a botanically themed silver serving dish whose nine separate floating bowls are surmounted by a pagoda roof topped with a pineapple.
From New York Times • Jan. 18, 2024
Chinoiserie also works for wallpaper in a small bathroom.
From Washington Post • Jan. 11, 2021
Mrs. Frederick Havemeyer has a similar bed covered with a Chinoiserie chintz.
From The House in Good Taste by Wolfe, Elsie de
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
