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Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

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
Chinoiserie Large Porcelain Dresser Box with Lid In Style of Ginori, Italy
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Large rectangular dresser or trinket box with lid features Chinoiserie decor with faux bamboo construction elements and dragonfly motifs on the sides and the lid. The handle is sculp...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Porcelain, Pottery

Asian Calligraphy Mounted Hinged Box on Stand
Located in Germantown, MD
A mid Century Asian Calligraphy Mounted Hinged Box on Stand. Measures 17.5" in width, 14.5" in depth and x 20.25" in height. ,  
Category

Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

Maitland Smith Lacquered Chinoiserie Dome Top Lion Handle Storage Keepsake Box
Located in Dayton, OH
An impressive lacquered keepsake box by Maitland Smith, circa 1990s. Features a chinoiserie motif with flowers and Asian figures. the box is in the form of a treasure chest with hing...
Category

1990s Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Hardwood, Lacquer

Maitland Smith Chinese Chinoiserie Lacquered Silverware Flatware Chest Box
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th century black lacquered chinoiseries silverware chest by Maitland Smith. Features a scene of familial figures in a garden on the lid and Chinese landscapes along the sides....
Category

1990s Philippine Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

English Regency Oriental Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Chest Jewelry Box
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This English Regency-era jewelry box embodies Oriental aesthetics with its sleek sarcophagus shape, tapered body, and angled lid. Adorning the lid are intricate Chinoiserie scenes depicted through penwork on each faceted panel. Opening the box reveals a luxurious red lining within. An exquisite Chinese black lacquer chinoiserie box...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood, Paper

Tiffany Le Tallec Cirque Chinois Porcelain Box
Located in Atlanta, GA
Atelier Le Tallec For Tiffany & Company, 20th century. One of the most collectible patterns, these boxes do not come available often. Marked to bottom.
Category

20th Century French Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Enamel

Burmese Gold and Black Lacquer Owl Boxes, Set of 2
Located in Stamford, CT
1960s hand-painted gold and black lacquer owl nesting boxes. Larger box is signed on the underside "handmade in Burma".
Category

1960s Burmese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Paint, Paper

Small Antique Apprentice Chest, English, Camphorwood, Storage Box, circa 1920
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small antique apprentice chest. An English, camphorwood sample storage box, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1920. Superb craftsmanship in miniature from the hand...
Category

Early 20th Century British Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

A Rare Pair of Luxury Chinoiserie Tea Cannister Shop Fittings
Located in Greenwich, CT
A rare pair of large-scale tea cannisters with wooden lids over rounded tin bodies each elaborately decorated with bucolic scenes of a pair of figures in Chinese dress in a garden, w...
Category

1860s English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Tin

19th Century black lacquered jewellery box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century chinese black lacquered jewellery box circa 1860. Good quality shaped chinese jewellery box with overstuffed top cushion.  Hand painted i...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Lacquer

4 Panels of a Wooden Box with Mother of Pearl Inlay, Chinese Scenes.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
4 Panels of a Wooden Box with Mother of Pearl Inlay, Chinese Scenes, 19th Century. 4 panels of a wooden box with mother-of-pearl inlays depicting Chinese scenes, Asian Art, 19th cen...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Decorative Ceramic Chinoiserie Box with Lid and Pink and Blue Floral Motif
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A small Chinoiserie ceramic decorative box with a lid. Rectangular in shape, this box features a hand-painted floral motif on the top of the lid as w...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Antique Chinese Chinoiserie Box with Mother of Pearl
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Antique Chinese Chinoiserie Wooden box with Handpainted inserts. Mother of Pearl decorative buttons. Double sides doors with compartments for small sculptures. Great piece.
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

A 1930's French Gilt Lacquered Wood Pagoda Form Chinoiserie Platinum Painted Box
Located in New York, NY
A 1930's French Gilt Lacquered Wood Pagoda Form Chinoiserie Platinum Painted Box, Attributed to Jansen. At first glance, the box's visual allure is simply breathtaking. Adorned with ...
Category

1930s Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Chinoiserie Famille Rose Decorative Box with Birds Flora and Fauna
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful vintage decorated Famille Rose ceramic decorative box, Chinese Export/Chinoiserie style, circa mid-20th century. Box and lid are beautiful decorated with figures and bird...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

19th Century Japanese Style Storage Box - Bamboo and Copper
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful antique storage box, made of bamboo, beautifully decorated with plates of gracefully embossed copper. The chest was probably made in Japan, for the European/French market...
Category

1890s Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Copper

Vintage Oval Ceramic Chinoiserie Blue and White Trinket Dish with Lid
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A small oval chinoiserie blue and white trinket dish with a lid. This piece is from China and was created in ceramic with blue paint. It is white, with a painted scenic design on the...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Large Vintage Bamboo Lidded Storage Box Chinoiserie Modern Container Case 20"
Located in Dayton, OH
Intriguing modern bamboo case or basket. Features a decorated bamboo wrapped exterior and lid. Great for display or use. Dimensions: 20.5" x 16" x 14"h
Category

Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bamboo

Long Narrow Chinese Laquered Box with Brass Bun Feet
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Lovely unusually long and narrow Chinoiserie box having black background with red and gold flowers, brass hinge and bun feet.
Category

1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Antique Hand-Carved Chestnut Box in Asian Bamboo Style Inlaid with Soapstone
Located in Lisse, NL
Exclusive & fine quality hand-crafted Chinoiserie box. The diversity in techniques and materials used by craftsman around the world and over the last centuries never seizes to a...
Category

Early 20th Century European Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Soapstone

Wood Lidded Box, Hand-Painted and Lacquered, Japanese, Early 20Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This box is a japanese box, early 20th century, in a red laquer, representing a bird and a flower. This has been made in Japan.
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Early 19th Century Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Boxes
Located in Richmond, London
An early 19th century set of four small chinoiserie black lacquer and gilt boxes. Circa 1830. Why we like them Exquisite gilt decoration, wonderfully preserved original condition. ...
Category

Early 19th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

Large Chinoiserie Decorated Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Chinoiserie box with painted scenes and gold faux bamboo trim.
Category

20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Composition

Silver Painted Wooden Pagoda Storage Box
Located in Stamford, CT
Custom silver painted wooden pagoda box. Three tiered storage compartments plus pagoda finial lid. No makers mark.
Category

Early 2000s American Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Enamelled and Cloisonné Silver Box, Jade Inlay, China, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Enamelled and cloisonné silver box, jade inlay, China, 19th century. Enamelled and cloisonné silver box, jade inlay, China, 19th century. H: 6cm, W: 11cm, D: 7cm
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Silver

Chinese Export Large Round Box Black Lacquered Gilt Painted Covered Box 1950s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large Chinese black lacquered box with numerous figures and gilt detail. Chinese round black lacquer and gilt painted box, made for the expor...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

Large Chinoiserie Rectangular Black Lacquered Gilt Painted Covered Box 1950s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large Chinoiserie Rectangular Black Lacquered Gilt Painted Covered Box 1950s. Large Chinese black lacquered box with numerous figures and gilt detail. Chinese rectangular black lacquer and gilt painted box, made for the export market. The rectangular large black lacquer box is decorated with beautiful gilt painting. the Upper portion opens revealing a lacquer tray. The lid of the box hand painted in the shanshui style, with an idyllic river and mountain, Chinoiserie style landscape with architectural Asian decor, landscape figures of women in traditional kimonos, young boys playing near a river. The landscape studded with trees and vegetation, and some small pagodas...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

19th Century Chinoiserie Lacquer Sewing Box
Located in Toronto, CA
This is a remarkable 19th century lacquered sewing box with multiple compartments on the interior. The exterior is decorated in elaborate black and gilded motifs including flowers, f...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bone, Lacquer, Wood

Small Oval Chinoiserie Painted Ceramic and Metal Trinket Box with Mirror Lid
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Bring a little chinoiserie to a vanity, side table, or coffee table. This pretty oval box is created from metal and has a hand painted and glazed ceramic top. The metal surrounds the...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

English Early 19th Century Penwork Box with Chinoiserie Decoration
Located in Atlanta, GA
English Early 19th Century Penwork Box with Chinoiserie Decoration
Category

19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Antique Chinese Champlevé Enamel Scarab Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
Finely detailed champlevé scarab shape box with gilt wash interior. Traces of antique mirror on inner top. Rich colors of blue, turquoise purple finely enameled all around box.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bronze

Vintage MCM Small Brass Chinoiserie Trinket Box
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful MCM small brass lidded coffret style trinket box with chinoserie detail. The box depicts engraved scenes with a main motif of a sea ship on the upper lid and other scenes ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Japan, Pair of Hokai boxes in lacquered wood, Edo period, 1829
Located in PARIS, FR
Japan, Pair of Hokai boxes in lacquered wood, Edo period, 1829 Japan, Rare Pair of Hokai boxes in lacquered wood, Edo period, dated Bunsei 12, 1829. Hokai boxes are traditionally use...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

Royal Delft 300th Anniversary Commemorative Bonbonnière, 1953, Hand-Painted
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
This rare and exceptional Royal Delft Blue bonbonnière, produced by De Porceleyne Fles to commemorate the factory’s 300th anniversary (1653-1953), is ...
Category

1950s Dutch Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic, Faience, Earthenware

Chinese 19th Century Burlwood Box
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a quietly impressive Chinese mid-to-late 19th century table or writing box. The box is of metal-mounted burl wood construction in the Ming style, but dating later. The box fe...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

19th Century Chinoiserie Sewing Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nice condition for its age. Does not have key. Has original sewing box utensils inside - spools, etc.
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bone, Wood, Lacquer

Elegant Cloisonné Cherry Blossom Trinket Jewel Box Enamel with Teal Interior
Located in Red Lion, PA
Elegant 20th Century Cloisonné Cherry Blossom Trinket Box – Brass & Enamel with Teal Interior This exquisite vintage cloisonné trinket box is a beautiful example of 20th-century dec...
Category

20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Collectible Coca-Cola Special Edition Asian Chinese Bottles, a Set of 5
Located in Plainview, NY
A custom made special edition Coca-Cola set of 5 miniature glass bottles. Each bottle is handprinted to portray traditional Chinese emblems such...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Glass

Chinoiserie Gilt Bronze Champlevé Enamel Casket Box
Located in New York, NY
Unusual and Ornate Gilt Bronze Champlevé Enamel Lidded Casket. After a bamboo box, this champlevé box contains five enameled faces with gilt bronze bamb...
Category

19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Chinoiserie Papier Mache Box, circa 1920
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Chinoiserie Papier Mache Box, circa 1920, a rectangular jewelry or work box with hinged pagoda lid, decorated with an embossed phoenix and c...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Other

Chinoiserie Wooden and Brass Jewelry Chest
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Exceptional vintage chinoiserie wooden jewelry chest. Features a green felt interior with brass accents and handles.
Category

1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Vintage Chinese Porcelain Shard Box Oriental Decorative Nickel Silver
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Chinese Porcelain Shard Box Oriental Decorative Nickel Silver Box Blue and White. Vintage Chinese Nickel Silver Box with Blue and White Porcelain S...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

Chinese Export Cloisonné Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Lovely Chinese export cloisonné box made of brass and enameled with a beautiful floral pattern resting on ball feet. This decorative box was most likely a cigarette box or trinket bo...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass, Enamel

18th Century George I Domed Topped Japanned Chinoiserie Falconry Box, circa 1710
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A rare and important Queen Anne-George I japanned chinoiserie domed topped box depicting scenes of falconry, circa 1710-1720. England Falconry is ...
Category

Early 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Oak

18th Century Japanned Chinoiserie Dome-Topped Box, Circa 1715-1725
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
Early 18th century George I Japanned Chinoiserie dome-topped box, Circa 1715-1725. England or France. A rare survivor from the first quarter of the ...
Category

18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Cherry

19th Century English Chinoiserie Box with Bronze Feet
Located in Dallas, TX
Gorgeous 19th century English chinoiserie box with bronze feet. Featuring a beautiful decorative hand painted design. So pretty! Note: As is.
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Bohemian Silver-Mounted Overlay and Enameled Box, Dated 1852
Located in New York, NY
Bohemian silver-mounted overlay and enameled box, dated 1852 with chinoiserie decorations and Viennese silver.
Category

1850s Austrian Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Enamel, Silver

Silver and Shagreen Cutlery Etui, Travel Cutlery, Netherlands, 18th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Silver and Shagreen Cutlery, Etui, and Travel Cutlery Netherlands, 18th century  An exotic and luxurious 18th-century silver and green cutlery etui from the Netherlands is a remarka...
Category

18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Sterling Silver

Carved Wood Chinese Box, with Landscape and Characters Decor Pattern, China 20th
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This box is in a brown color. It has been made in the 20th century, in China. It is hand carved, with character and landscapes, patterns.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Vintage French Chinoiserie Lacquer Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Vintage French Chinoiserie Lacquer Box, with gold decoration. This type of box would have held cigarettes or trinkets. Stamped "Made in Fra...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

Japanese Porcelain Vintage Trinket Lidded Boxes Set of Three
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Japanese porcelain vintage trinket boxes with lid, set of 3. Vintage Asian porcelain Japanese trinket boxes with Geishas figures wearing traditional kimonos. Japanese porcelain decorative box, each box with a different design, perfect for storing small items or use them as decorative boxes on a table or shelf. Asian Trinket Box...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Mother Of Pearl Game Pieces in Wooden Box in Chinese Style
Located in Greven, DE
Numerous finely engraved mother-of-pearl game pieces in a wooden box in Chinese style. The game pieces are in three different shapes - oval, round and rectangular. The engravings sho...
Category

20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Chinese Export Cloisonné Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Lovely Chinese export cloisonné box made of brass and enameled with a beautiful mountain scene decoration in vibrant yellow color resting on ball feet. This chinoiserie box is marked...
Category

1910s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Porcelain on Metal Fine Chinoiserie Occupied Japan Art Deco Box
Located in San Diego, CA
Porcelain on metal fine chinoiserie occupied Japan Art Deco box, beautiful and rare petite box delicate and painted with metal inserts, a couple of tiny...
Category

20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal, Brass

Chinese Antique Black Lacquered Gilt Painted Covered Box 1940s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique Oriental Chinese Export Black Lacquered Gilt Painted Covered Box 1940s. Large Asian Chinese black lacquered tea box with nume...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Giltwood, Lacquer

Vintage Carved Keepsake Case, Chinese, Satinwood, Decorative Box, Circa 1950
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage carved keepsake case. A Chinese, satinwood decorative box, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1950. Profusely carved throughout with an abundance of Oriental cr...
Category

1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Satinwood

Oriental Carved Camphor Wood Chest
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Oriental carved camphor wood chest This Beautiful Carved Chest is made from Camphor Wood, for those of you who do not know campho...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Luscious Leather Embossed Hand-Painted Chinoiserie Box
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Wonderful Chinese box in red, gold and black having a Chinoiserie painted design on embossed leather with original brass hardware. There's a removable metal liner and the interior is...
Category

1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Leather

Antique Korean Trunk Chest or Box circa 1920s with Luck and Longevity Characters
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome antique Korean trunk or chest with beautiful brass details and the auspicious Chinese characters for luck and longevity carved into the f...
Category

Early 20th Century Korean Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Two Korean Antique Dowery Boxes in Brown Rattan and Red Papier-Mâché
Located in New York, NY
Two attractive 19th century Korean dowery boxes in brown rattan and red hand-painted papier-mâché, the one slightly larger in delicately interwoven brown ...
Category

19th Century Korean Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Rattan

Chinoiserie decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinoiserie decorative boxes 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 decorative boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, asian art and furniture, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinoiserie decorative boxes made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and China pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative boxes, popular names associated with this style include Daniel & John Welby, Henry Troemner, Limoges, and Maitland Smith. 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 decorative boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $189 and tops out at $22,500 while the average work can sell for $808.

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