How the whimsical, hand-painted wallcoverings have captured the imagination of artists and homeowners for centuries Precious exotic items from China, such as fine porcelain, silks, and lacquer panels started to trickle into Europe beginning in the early 16th century. These decorative items quickly gained popularity with Europe’s aristocracy. By the late 18th century, nearly all of Europe’s great houses had at least one room with Chinese wallpaper—typically women’s bedrooms—as did many more modest homes. English and French manufacturers sought to capitalize on this demand for Chinese wallpaper and began producing imitations. The word Chinoiserie derives from “chinois”—French for Chinese—and is used today for the style of decorative art that was inspired by these Chinese designs and the exotic notions that Europeans held about China. Despite the name Chinoiserie, European artists didn’t differentiate between different designs and often mixed motifs from China, Japan, and other East Asian cultures to create whimsical …