Chinoiserie Secretaires
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.
20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
Late 20th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Metal
20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wool
Late 19th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Secretaires
Giltwood, Lacquer, Paint
1970s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Secretaires
Lacquer
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
1970s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Secretaires
Brass
20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
1950s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Leather, Glass, Lacquer
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Hardwood
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
Late 18th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Secretaires
Brass
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Secretaires
Oak, Pine
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Secretaires
Mahogany
1920s French Vintage Chinoiserie Secretaires
Bronze
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Glass, Wood
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
1910s French Vintage Chinoiserie Secretaires
Carrara Marble, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood, Lacquer, Ash
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires
Glass, Wood
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires
Mirror, Wood
Early 20th Century Swedish Chinoiserie Secretaires
Brass
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood, Paint
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Brass
1930s English Vintage Chinoiserie Secretaires
Gold, Brass
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Secretaires
Metal
20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Brass
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires
Lacquer
20th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood