Chinoiserie Sideboards
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.
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Sideboards
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Sideboards
Brass
Mid-20th Century English Chinoiserie Sideboards
Hardwood
1860s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Sideboards
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Sideboards
Marble
2010s Asian Chinoiserie Sideboards
Walnut
2010s Asian Chinoiserie Sideboards
Walnut
1880s Antique Chinoiserie Sideboards
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Late 20th Century British Chinoiserie Sideboards
Elm
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Sideboards
Wood
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Sideboards
Brass
1880s South Korean Antique Chinoiserie Sideboards
Elm, Pearwood
1970s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Sideboards
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Sideboards
Marble
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Sideboards
Hardwood
1950s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Sideboards
Mahogany
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Sideboards
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Sideboards
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Sideboards
Marble
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Sideboards
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Sideboards
Marble
1950s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Sideboards
Aluminum
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Sideboards
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Sideboards
Wood, Paint
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Sideboards
Glass, Wood, Lacquer
1860s English Antique Chinoiserie Sideboards
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Sideboards
Pine
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Sideboards
Metal
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Sideboards
Elm
1960s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Sideboards
Teak
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Sideboards
Elm
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Sideboards
Walnut
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Sideboards
Brass
1910s English Vintage Chinoiserie Sideboards
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Sideboards
Brass
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Sideboards
Brass, Gold Leaf
1990s American Chinoiserie Sideboards
Oak, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Sideboards
Wood, Paint
1970s British Vintage Chinoiserie Sideboards
Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Sideboards
Glass, Wood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Sideboards
Brass
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Sideboards
Wood
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Sideboards
Brass
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Sideboards
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Sideboards
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Sideboards
Brass
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Sideboards
Wood
20th Century American Chinoiserie Sideboards
Wood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Sideboards
Wood, Giltwood