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.
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ironstone
1910s English Vintage 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
Ironstone
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Delft
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Belgian Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Delft
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1770s English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Paper
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Delft
20th Century Southeast Asian Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic, Paint
1890s French Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Wire
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ironstone
1890s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Clay
Early 1900s French Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic, Faience
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ironstone
20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic, Porcelain, Paint
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ironstone
Mid-20th Century Chinese 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
Earthenware
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Delft, Faience
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ironstone
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ironstone
Mid-20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Delft
Late 19th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ironstone
20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Delft
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Fabric
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ironstone
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ironstone
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Pottery
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Creamware
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1810s European Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ironstone
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ironstone
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ironstone
1840s German Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Faience
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ironstone
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic