Chinoiserie Furniture
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.
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
1970s German Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Tôle
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Pine
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Burl, Cane, Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Fabric
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Belgian Black Marble
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century European Chinoiserie Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
1920s English Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1980s English Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Linen, Upholstery, Wood
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1990s Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Grasscloth, Faux Bamboo, Wood, Leather
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Copper, Enamel, Pewter
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Copper, Pewter
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Paint
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint, Fabric
1960s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Paint, Wood
1960s Cambodian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century Belgian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1960s Dutch Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1930s British Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk, Ebony, Wood
1930s British Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut, Lacquer
1920s British Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver Leaf
Early 1900s British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1930s British Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Elm
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood, Lacquer
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Maple, Lacquer
Chinoiserie furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
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