chinoiserie

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

noun, plural chi·noi·se·ries

[sheen-wah-zuh-reez, -wah-zuh-reez; French shee-nwazuh-ree] /ʃinˌwɑ zəˈriz, -ˈwɑ zə riz; French ʃi nwazəˈri/ for 2. (sometimes initial capital letter)

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.
an object decorated in this style or an example of this style: The clock was an interesting chinoiserie.

Origin of chinoiserie

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for chinoiserie

Contemporary Examples of chinoiserie

The Duchess looked elegant in a pale grey coat over a hand-painted silk floral “chinoiserie” dress by Jenny Packham.
William, Kate and Harry Attend Wedding of Diana's Niece
Tom Sykes
June 11, 2012

Historical Examples of chinoiserie

Recently I planned a small boudoir in a country house that depended on a gay Chinoiserie paper for its charm.
The House in Good Taste
Elsie de Wolfe
Mrs. Frederick Havemeyer has a similar bed covered with a Chinoiserie chintz.
The House in Good Taste
Elsie de Wolfe
Garner shows a Lambeth mug embodying this style of decoration combined with a suggestion of Chinoiserie around the waist.
The Cultural History of Marlborough, Virginia
C. Malcolm Watkins

British Dictionary definitions for chinoiserie

chinoiserie

noun

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

Word Origin for chinoiserie

French, from chinois Chinese; see -ery

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012