chinoiserie

[ sheen-wah-zuh-ree, -wah-zuh-ree; French shee-nwazuh-ree ]

noun

, (sometimes initial capital letter)

, plural chi·noi·se·ries [sheen-wah-z, uh, -, reez, -, wah, -z, uh, -reez, shee-nw, a, z, uh, -, ree]

1. 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.
2. an object decorated in this style or an example of this style:

   The clock was an interesting chinoiserie.

chinoiserie

/ -ˈwɑːzərɪ; ʃiːnˌwɑːzəˈriː /

noun

1. a style of decorative or fine art based on imitations of Chinese motifs
2. an object or objects in this style

Word History and Origins

Origin of chinoiserie¹

1880–85; < French, equivalent to chinois Chinese + -erie -ery

Word History and Origins

Origin of chinoiserie¹

French, from chinois Chinese ; see -ery

Example Sentences

Stripes pair well with fluid motifs, such as florals and chinoiserie, but they also work with busy geometric patterns.

From Washington Post

The Duchess looked elegant in a pale grey coat over a hand-painted silk floral “chinoiserie” dress by Jenny Packham.

From The Daily Beast

Recently I planned a small boudoir in a country house that depended on a gay Chinoiserie paper for its charm.

From Project Gutenberg

Mrs. Frederick Havemeyer has a similar bed covered with a Chinoiserie chintz.

From Project Gutenberg

Garner shows a Lambeth mug embodying this style of decoration combined with a suggestion of Chinoiserie around the waist.

From Project Gutenberg