Regency Decorating With Chinoiserie Furniture

French Louis XV Style Black Lacquer Commode Seller Alexander Westerhoff

French Chinoiserie Louis XV Style Black Lacquer Commode Seller Alexander Westerhoff

Chinoiserie is a decorative and elaborately painted style reflecting oriental figures and motifs. The process is extensive and often includes gilding and lacquering. Chinoiserie art is applied to interior walls, furniture, and tapestries. Often times the art includes oriental scenery, human figures, intricate lattices, and exotic birds and flowers. From the time of the renaissance to the 18thcentury, designers have attempted to copy the detailed sophistication of Chinese hand painted ceramics with only limited success. As time passed, and varied techniques were tried, successcame along withglazing, where direct copies could be made with a high level of detail.

Porcelain production became popular, and the popularity of rococo Chinoiserie became popular between 1740-1770, and still is collectible today. Louis XV of France furthered the popularity, as he especially enjoyed the style of rococo and Chinoiserie fit perfectly withthe ornate decor. Entire rooms were hand painted with Chinoiserie influences. Chinese themes became apparent in the formal areas of the German and Russian palaces. Cabinet maker Thomas Chippendale embellished on the Chinoiserie themes creating mahogany tables, cabinets and chairs that were styled after the different characteristics of Chinoiserie style. I think our generation especially appreciates the laborious details of hand worked craftsmanship in era of machine made products.