In Europe back in the 17th and 18th centuries, an overwhelming fascination with China-and in particular, Chinese porcelain developed among tastemakers, which fueled an immense demand for East Asian goods, particularly within the realm of the decorative arts.

European manufacturers took advantage of this craze by beginning to produce designs in imitation of the Chinese hence the creation of Chinoiserie.

Goods ranged from furniture to textiles to fine art and featured Chinese materials (or imitations of them) such as porcelain and lacquer, plus Chinese motifs like pagodas, dragons, and flora as imagined through the highly fantastical Western lens.

Chinoiserie is an entirely European invention.

Chinoiserie is interesting, with little scenes telling a story, it has movement and depth, it can be colorful and really engage your eye.