Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
CHINOISERIE STYLE
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.
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Style: Chinoiserie
Chinese Hand Painted/Black Lacquered and Brass Secretary Desk
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Immerse yourself in the beauty of traditional Chinese craftsmanship with this Hand Painted/Black Lacquered and Brass Secretary Desk. Featuring intricate hand-painted scenes on a rich...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Chinese Red Lacquered Secretary Desk
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Experience the allure of the Red Lacquered Chinese Secretary Desk. Meticulously crafted with vibrant red lacquer, this desk showcases intricate gold de...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Lacquer
Chinoiserie Ebonized Council Writing Desk
Located in New York, NY
Chinoiserie Ebonized Council Writing Desk, circa 20th century, mahogany, label to inside "Solid Mahogany Colonial MFG Co.". 32.75" H x 19.25" W x 22" D.
Category
20th Century Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Vintage Chinoiserie Black Chinese Painted Red Leather Top Kneehole Writing Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinoiserie Black Chinese Painted Red Leather Top Kneehole Writing Desk. item features 7 drawers, red tooled leather top, hand painted scenes and details on all sides includi...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Wood
Chinoiserie Hollywood Regency Campaign Black Lacquered Writing Desk by Sligh
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Chinoiserie Hollywood Regency Campaign style writing desk
By Sligh Furniture
USA, Circa 1970s
Black lacquered walnut, with hand painted Asian nature scenes, faux ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
1970s Chinoiserie-Style Walnut Desk with Engraved Leather Top & Brass Accents
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Immerse yourself in the world of French elegance with our vintage 1970s chinoiserie-style desk, a symbol of refined craftsmanship and artistic expression. Expertly handcrafted from p...
Category
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
VINTAGE CHiNESE CHINOISERIE DECORATED PAINTED & LACQUERED PEDESTAL DESK & CHAIR
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage Chinese Chinoiserie decorated twin pedestal d...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Vintage Bamboo Desk with Red Lacquer Top by Baker
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Wonderful Chinoiserie style bamboo desk with red lacquer top for Milling Road by Baker Furniture Company. One large middle drawer which...
Category
20th Century American Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bamboo, Lacquer
18th Century English Dresser with 19th Century Chinoiserie Decoration
Located in Norwalk, CT
Lovely form on this 18th century desk with a beautiful chinoiserie finish added in the 19th century. The color is remarkable with fine figured painting in the Chinese manner, accent...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Gold Leather Bronze Burl Desk w/ Matching Chair MINT!
By Drexel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Gold Leather Bronze Burl Desk w/ Matching Chair MINT!
table: 26x56x30
chair: 21 x19x42, seat: 18
Category
20th Century American Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Antique Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Red Leather Bureau Plat Writing Table Desk
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Chinoiserie black lacquer red leather bureau plat writing table desk
Additional information:
Materials: LacquerLeatherWood
Color: Black
P...
Category
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Lacquer
Midcentury French Style Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Desk / Cabinet
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a midcentury French style hand painted chinoiserie secretary with a unique bombe form base and glass top. It works so well for both display and functional desk. It is unmarke...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Glass, Lacquer
19th Century 3-Piece Diminutive Lacquer Secretary Desk with Nice Chinoiserie
Located in Milford, NH
A fine three-piece diminutive black lacquer secretary desk with extensive chinoiserie or japanned decoration, including a base table, bras...
Category
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
18th Century English Chinoiserie Table Desk
Located in Charlottesville, VA
18th century English chinoiserie table desk, having a drop-down front revealing five interior drawers and two cubby holes, over a lar...
Category
18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Lacquer
English 19th Century Japanned Desk with Black and Gold Chinoiserie Décor
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English japanned kneehole desk from the 19th century with black and gold Chinoiserie décor, eight drawers and central door. Perfect to be used as a small desk or a dressing table, this English table from the 19th century captures our attention with its Chinoiserie décor adorning all sides (except for the back). The table features a rectangular top showcasing an exquisite scene with pagodas in traditional landscapes with figures engaged in various activities. The façade presents an arched knee hole with single door on the back panel, surrounded by two long drawers at the top, followed by two columns of three drawers on each side. Luscious foliage and additional figures make up this frontal japanned décor. The side panels are decorated with hand-painted scene, the back is plain. The ensemble is raised on four bracket feet complementing the ensemble beautifully. With its small proportions and exquisite japanned black and gold décor...
Category
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
19th Century Chinoiserie Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th century chinoiserie table, probably Chinese export, circa late 19th century. This was probably originally intended as a sewing table, but it i...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
19th Century English Chinoiserie Ladies Secretaire Writing Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Extraordinary 19th century English ladies secretaire desk or writing table. The two part desk was made in the Chinoiserie revival period of Europe ...
Category
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Antique Asian Oriental japaneese Burned Bamboo Hand Painted Decorated Desk Table
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Antique Asian Oriental Chinese burned bamboo hand painted decorated desk writing table.
Category
20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bamboo
Lovely Vintage Chinese Chinoiserie Writing Table with Original Stool Leather Top
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning small Chinese Chinoiserie hand painted and lacquered writing table with black leather writing surface and matching stool.
This is ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Asian Teak Hand Carved Drop Front Compartmentalized Desk Style of George Zee
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome Asian teak hand carved drop slant front desk with interior compartmentalized cubby storage in the style of George Zee and Co. of China. This amazing piece is in fabulous condition. Please see photos, circa mid-20th century.
This phenomenal drop front desk is made with superior craftsmanship and materials and is in exceptional original condition. Comprised of teak that has been carved on the drop front and the drawer faces with an incredible plum blossom and bird motif. The drop front is slanted above three rows of drawers. The top row having two drawers and the lower two a single full width drawer. All with recessed carved handles. Inside the drop front, besides the work surface, there is a removable cubby compartmentalized storage including a small drawer. This is made in the style of renowned Chinese furniture maker George Zee and Co. who made high quality teak and camphor wood furniture...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
English Regency Lacquered Chinoiserie Partners Desk
Located in New York, NY
English Regency style red lacquered chinoiserie decorated knee hole partners desk with green leather 3 panel top.
Category
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Lacquer
Vintage Chinese Carved Mahogany Pedestal Desk Flowers Birds and Leafy Scrolls
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinese carved mahogany pedestal desk with flowers birds and leafy scrolls. Item features ornately carved throughout with flowers, birds, and leafy scrollwork carved faces to...
Category
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
French Louis XV Style Chinoiserie Desk or Bureau Plat By Baker
Located in Houston, TX
French Louis XV Style chinoiserie desk or Bureau plat By Baker.
Outstanding and unusual 20th century Baker Furniture Company French Louis XV style chinoiserie desk, writing table or...
Category
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Wood
Stunning Black Lacquered Polychrome Painted Writing Table Desk Birds Flowers
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely black lacquered hand polychrome painted vintage writing table with birds and flowers
A very good looking and decorative piece, made...
Category
20th Century English Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Continental Dutch Satinwood Secretary
Located in New York, NY
Continental Dutch-style (18/19th Century) satinwood and inlaid trimmed drop front desk with chinoiserie decorated lacquered panels and brass gallery
Category
Late 18th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Chinoiserie Paint Decorated Faux Bamboo Writing Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Paint decorated. Gilt accents. 29 3/8" h x 60" w x 29 7/8" d.
Condition
Light surface scratches. Minor finish loss. Missing knob on drawer.
Category
Early 2000s Unknown Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Chinoiserie Imperial Red English Writing Partners Desk / Library Table, 19th C
Located in Charleston, SC
This Elegant English Chinoiserie Partners Writing Desk / Library Table with Exotic Scenes is Japanned in Imperial Red Lacquer. The Chinoiserie Library...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany, Lacquer
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Chinoiserie desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Chinoiserie desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage desks and writing tables created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, case pieces and storage cabinets, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, lacquer and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinoiserie desks and writing tables made in a specific country, there are Europe, England, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original desks and writing tables, popular names associated with this style include Drexel, and Sligh Furniture. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for desks and writing tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $950 and tops out at $37,500 while the average work can sell for $3,692.
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