Chinoiserie Boxes
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 Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Boxes
Brass
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Boxes
Brass
1960s Burmese Vintage Chinoiserie Boxes
Paint, Paper
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Boxes
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Boxes
Jade, Brass
1990s Philippine Chinoiserie Boxes
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Boxes
Brass
1990s Chinoiserie Boxes
Hardwood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century British Chinoiserie Boxes
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Boxes
Soapstone, Brass
1890s Russian Antique Chinoiserie Boxes
Silver
20th Century French Chinoiserie Boxes
Enamel
Early 19th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Boxes
Wood, Lacquer
1860s English Antique Chinoiserie Boxes
Tin
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Boxes
Bone, Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Boxes
Brass
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Boxes
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Boxes
Rosewood
1890s Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Boxes
Copper
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Boxes
Metal
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Boxes
Wood
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Boxes
Paper
1930s Vintage Chinoiserie Boxes
Wood
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Boxes
Fabric, Wood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Boxes
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Boxes
Ceramic
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Boxes
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Boxes
Bamboo
1890s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Boxes
Pine, Lacquer
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Boxes
Silver
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Boxes
Bronze, Lead
Early 20th Century European Chinoiserie Boxes
Soapstone
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Boxes
Ceramic, Paint
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Boxes
Lacquer
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Boxes
Gold Leaf
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Boxes
Ceramic, Paint
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Boxes
Metal, Enamel
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Boxes
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Boxes
Brass, Enamel
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Boxes
Metal
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Boxes
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Boxes
Wood
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Boxes
Bronze
Early 2000s American Chinoiserie Boxes
Wood
Early 19th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Boxes
Lacquer
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Boxes
Bone, Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Boxes
Wood, Lacquer
19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Boxes
Lacquer
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Boxes
Bronze, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Boxes
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Boxes
Glass
1950s Dutch Vintage Chinoiserie Boxes
Ceramic, Earthenware, Faience
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Boxes
Mother-of-Pearl
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Boxes
Paper
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Boxes
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Boxes
Other
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Boxes
Metal
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Boxes
Pewter
20th Century Chinoiserie Boxes
Composition
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Boxes
Bone, Wood, Lacquer