chinoiserie
UK[ʃɪnˈwɑːzəri]US[ʃɪnˈwɑːzəri]
n
A style in art, fashion, or design that reflects Chinese qualities and motifs, especially as interpreted by European artists.
n
An object or decoration made in this style.
Morpheme Breakdown
chinois
erie
chinois
Chinese
erie
noun-forming suffix
Etymology
The word 'chinoiserie' is a direct loan from 19th-century French, where it was formed from 'chinois' (Chinese) and the suffix '-erie', which denotes a characteristic style or collection. It encapsulates the European fascination with and romanticized interpretation of Chinese and East Asian artistic traditions that peaked in the 17th and 18th centuries. The term reflects not direct cultural import but a European fantasy, a stylistic pastiche that blended perceived Asian motifs with Rococo sensibilities. Thus, the literal components "Chinese" + "style/collection" perfectly capture the essence of this artistic phenomenon born from cross-cultural admiration and imaginative reinterpretation.
Analysis
Structure: chinois (Chinese) + erie (noun-forming suffix)
- chinois: From French, meaning "Chinese". Ultimately from Late Latin Sinae, the name for the Chinese, likely of Sanskrit origin.
- erie: A French noun-forming suffix, often indicating a collective, a place, or a characteristic style. From Latin -aria.
Examples
The palace's music room was decorated with exquisite chinoiserie, featuring hand-painted willow pattern wallpaper and lacquered cabinets.
Her collection of 18th-century porcelain is a fine example of European chinoiserie.
The fashion designer's latest show was inspired by chinoiserie, incorporating silk brocades and embroidered dragon motifs.