Chinoiserie Lighting
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.
19th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Crystal, Tôle
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
1970s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal
20th Century French Chinoiserie Lighting
Crystal, Bronze
1960s English Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Pine, Paint
Late 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
1960s French Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Porcelain
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Lighting
Wicker, Cane, Rattan
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Tôle
1940s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
1950s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Bronze
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Lighting
Porcelain
20th Century French Chinoiserie Lighting
Rock Crystal
1930s Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Pottery
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal
20th Century American Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal
2010s American Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
20th Century North American Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Delft
20th Century American Chinoiserie Lighting
Porcelain
1950s French Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Crystal, Iron, Tôle
1970s Spanish Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Bronze
20th Century English Chinoiserie Lighting
Glass
1880s Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Bronze
1780s English Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Mirror, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Lighting
Wood
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Slate, Bronze
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Terracotta
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Lighting
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Bronze, Ormolu
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal
1950s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal, Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic
1880s European Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Lighting
Hardwood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Lighting
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Enamel, Bronze, Ormolu
2010s Chinoiserie Lighting
Rock Crystal, Metal
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Lighting
Crystal, Metal
1970s French Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Bronze
1970s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Lighting
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Bronze, Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Bronze, Enamel
1930s American Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Lighting
Ormolu
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Porcelain
1850s English Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Tin, Brass