Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Emerging in the 17th century, chinoiserie appropriated the aesthetics and imagery of popular East Asian design for European-made versions. Reflecting the exoticization of China, Japan and other countries in this era, the word directly translates from French to “Chinese-esque,” which reveals its shortcomings as a style of furniture and decor that often stereotypically and reductively mimics Asian culture rather than showcasing and paying tribute to its artistic traditions.
The enthusiastically decorative chinoiserie style was propelled by influential tastemakers including French King Louis XIV, whose Trianon de Porcelaine in 1670 was inspired by Chinese architecture. Expanded trade between the East and West led to a demand for porcelain, lacquer objects, silk and other goods, which further informed the fanciful furniture being crafted in Europe.
Artisans working in the chinoiserie style used materials and elements like pagoda shapes, bamboo, lacquer surfaces, bird and flower motifs and other interpretations of Asian design on pieces that were frequently set against vibrant wallcoverings. This whimsical approach yielded chinoiserie furniture that boasted dramatic flourishes drawing on the natural world and reflected the dominance of Rococo during the 18th century.
As chinoiserie was shaped by approximations of Asian design by European creators, it had regional variations, such as Chinese Chippendale in England where cabinets, chairs and tea tables had wooden fretwork designs and “japanned” surfaces intended to resemble lacquer work that was created in East Asia. In North America, furniture makers in Boston and New York integrated chinoiserie-painted scenes into Queen Anne furniture.
Antique chinoiserie furniture has continued to be fashionable, from its popularity with decorators of the Hollywood Regency era — James Mont, Tommi Parzinger, William Haines and Samuel Marx favored the style — to contemporary interior designers, although it brings with it a complex history.
Find a collection of chinoiserie bedroom furniture, cabinets, decorative objects and more on 1stDibs.
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Delft
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ironstone
Mid-17th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic, Paint
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware
Late 17th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1950s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Metal
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Metal
1840s English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Paper
18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Pottery
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Fabric
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ironstone
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware
18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ironstone
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ironstone
18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ironstone
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Enamel
18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ironstone
18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ironstone
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic, Faience
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware
18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Faience
Late 18th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1820s English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1830s French Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic, Porcelain
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ironstone
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic, Paint
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Czech Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ironstone
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain, Ceramic
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ironstone
Early 1900s English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver Plate
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Fabric