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.
21st Century and Contemporary French Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton, Linen
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Silver Leaf
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1960s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Faience, Maiolica
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary French Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal
21st Century and Contemporary Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Paint
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Aluminum
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1880s Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Canvas, Giltwood, Paint
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1870s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
18th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1940s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver Leaf
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
1980s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Ceramic
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Glass
Late 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Ceramic
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1970s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Leaf
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal, Rock Crystal
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer, Paper
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Textile
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Steel, Stainless Steel
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 2000s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Textile, Upholstery, Wood, Down
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Early 20th Century German Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1870s Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Elm
Early 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Late 20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Teak
1750s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain