China Case, from Chippendale Drawings, Vol. II 1753

Thomas Chippendale’s China Case drawing presents us with a fascinating example of 18th-century Chinoiserie, capturing the European fascination with East Asian motifs. The pagoda-like structure and geometric latticework are dominant visual symbols, reflecting a romanticized vision of China. The pagoda roof, with its tiered structure, evokes ancient Chinese temples, sacred spaces believed to harmonize with the cosmos. Yet, Chippendale’s interpretation is filtered through a Western lens, transforming it into a decorative element for displaying precious objects. Consider, for example, how the pagoda form, originating as a reliquary for Buddhist relics, appears throughout Asia, adapted and reinterpreted over centuries. This echoes the obelisk of ancient Egypt, later reborn in Rome as a symbol of imperial power. In Chippendale’s design, we see this motif's journey continue, shaped by new cultural desires and aesthetic sensibilities. The cross-cultural adaptation of such symbols reveals our collective subconscious, our deep-seated desire to connect with the exotic. This constant cycle of appropriation and adaptation reveals how cultural symbols are always in flux.