Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
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.
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Mahogany
1860s British Antique Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Bamboo
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Cherry, Paint
20th Century Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Metal
1970s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood, Glass
1920s British Vintage Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Oak, Glass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Lacquer
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Glass, Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood, Burl
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Rattan, Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Gold Leaf
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Faux Bamboo, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Elm, Lacquer
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Lacquer
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Bronze, Silver Leaf
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Gold Leaf
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood
1970s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Brass
1940s South American Vintage Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Iron
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Metal
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood, Lacquer
20th Century French Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood, Lacquer
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Brass
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Rosewood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Lacquer
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Teak
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood, Paint
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Grasscloth, Wood
Late 19th Century Southeast Asian Antique Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Bronze
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Metal, Tôle
2010s Unknown Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Brass, Bronze, Pewter
Mid-20th Century English Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Glass, Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Hardwood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Porcelain, Rosewood
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Metal, Brass