Blog
In the 17th and 18th centuries, the trend of Chinoiserie swept across Europe.
In 17th and 18th century Europe, the trend of Chinoiserie swept through royal courts and aristocratic circles, becoming a symbol of luxury and refined taste. Among the most sought-after Chinese artworks were those featuring mother-of-pearl inlay. Renowned for its delicate luster and exquisite craftsmanship, mother-of-pearl art became an indispensable decorative element in European palaces.
The Palace of Versailles, under King Louis XIV of France, was one of the most fervent collectors of Chinese art. According to French court records, Louis XIV commissioned merchant caravans to bring back numerous pieces of furniture and crafts adorned with mother-of-pearl inlay, including screens, jewelry boxes, and tabletop decorations. These pieces, with their unique pearlescent glow and intricate patterns, became some of the most striking treasures at Versailles.
The British royal family also held a deep fascination for Chinese mother-of-pearl art. Trade records from the British East India Company reveal that Queen Anne repeatedly ordered lacquerware inlaid with mother-of-pearl, which she displayed at Hampton Court Palace. The English writer Daniel Defoe once remarked in his works, "These mother-of-pearl objects from the East seem to capture the radiance of stars and the sea, leaving one in awe."
Frederick the Great of Prussia was an even more ardent admirer of mother-of-pearl art. He dedicated a "Chinese Room" in his Sanssouci Palace to showcase a vast collection of furniture and artworks featuring mother-of-pearl inlay. According to court archives, Frederick once marveled, "The luster of mother-of-pearl is like moonlight shimmering on a rippling lake, utterly enchanting."
The obsession of European royalty with mother-of-pearl was not merely a fascination with Eastern art but also a pursuit of masterful craftsmanship and natural beauty. These mother-of-pearl artworks, traversing vast distances, became a bridge connecting Eastern and Western cultures, casting the mysterious glow of the Orient over the courts of 17th and 18th century Europe.
