Hand-painted and Chinoiserie Cabinets and Commodes

Chinoiserie is a French term that refers to Chinese lacquered designs. During the seventeenth century a love of all things Oriental swept over Europe. Lacquer furniture was the height of sophisticated design.  Lacquer furniture from China was introduced as early as 1613 in England, favored by Louis XIV and made even more popular in France by Madame de Pompadour during the reign of Louis XV. Highly decorated pieces included motifs such as exotic birds and flowers, pagodas and monkeys.

Hand-painted and Chinoiserie Cabinets

Chinoiserie adds a highly decorative finish to any  piece that makes it stand out in a room. A single piece can make a dramatic difference.

Chinoiserie Empress Writing Desk	Vintage Mongolian Chests	Vintage Mongolian Chest
Built and painted entirely by hand, this desk is a magnificent example of the art of Chinoiserie, popularized when Europeans first traveled to Asia in the early 17th century. Its fanciful landscapes are rendered in lustrous gold brushstrokes against a background of deep red lacquer.	Hand built from sold elm in the early 20th century, these hand-painted chests are embellished with traditional Mongolian floral motifs on the front.	Hand built from solid elm in the early 20th century, these hand-painted chests are embellished with traditional Mongolian floral motifs on the front. Gump's has collected a limited quantity, with no two pieces exactly alike

Pieces imported directly from the Orient were extremely limited. To suit European tastes, European craftsmen refashioned imports to decorate western goods, or sent European furniture to the Far East to be decorated. Soon they  were working to replicate these pieces. True lacquer comes from the sap of a tree not found in the West, so they had to invent finishes that would mimic this look. In England this became known as "Japan work" or "japanning." Designs most often have a Chinese look, but can also be Japanese or Indian. In some cases, an antique combines real Chinese lacquer and English japanning. China is considered to be the birthplace of lacquer work, but Japan was the premier producer typically featuring gold lacquer on a black lacquer ground.

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Last modified: June 09, 2009