Tuesday, March 27, 2012

CHINOASERIE - The most beautiful wallpapers

CHINOISERIE is a French term signifying "Chinese-esque". It refers to a phenomenon in European decorative arts that entered the European repertory in the mid-to-late 17th century.
The objects are characterized by the use of fanciful imagery of an IMAGINARY CHINA. Most Chinoiserie furniture didn’t actually come from China. In most cases the designs were the work European craftsmen. Therefore Chinoiserie reflects how Europeans imagined the cultures of China and does not represent actual Chinese artistic styles. Chinoiserie is a MIXTURE of EASTERN and WESTERN stylistic elements for both the decoration and shape.

THE ORIGINS of Chinoiserie can be traced back to Marco POLO, the first Westerner who traveled to the Far East in the 13th century. After his return to Venice Marco Polo introduced the Europeans to eastern designs and exotic objects. By the 16th century, Eastern TRADE routes opened again, and members of the Dutch and English East India Companies awakened the interest of the Europeans in Chinese culture. The tradesmen's tales as well as foreign and EXOTIC objects encouraged the development of FANTASTICAL imagery in the minds of the Europeans. Chinoiserie peaked in the middle of the 18th century and lost its impetus as soon as the ideas of neoclassicism came into fashion.


BEAUTIFUL Chinoiserie wallpaper by PAUL Montgomery


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