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Chinoiserie Chairs

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
Italian Giltwood Chinoiserie Chair, late 18th century
Italian Giltwood Chinoiserie Chair, late 18th century

Italian Giltwood Chinoiserie Chair, late 18th century

Located in Milan, IT

Rare and highly decorative Italian giltwood chair featuring an elaborate chinoiserie-inspired backrest. The carved and gilded wooden structure is surmounted by a pagoda-form crest su...

Category

18th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Chairs

Materials

Wood, Paint

6 Mid Century Black Lacquered Oriental Chinoiserie Dining Chairs
6 Mid Century Black Lacquered Oriental Chinoiserie Dining Chairs

6 Mid Century Black Lacquered Oriental Chinoiserie Dining Chairs

Located in Dayton, OH

Mid century black lacquered dining chairs featuring Ming styling with reticulated floral bird design and gold accents. Made in Taiwan, ROC Republic of China. Dimensions: 19" x 22" ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Taiwanese Chinoiserie Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Lacquer

Pair of Baker Faux Bamboo Chairs Armchairs Chinoiserie
Pair of Baker Faux Bamboo Chairs Armchairs Chinoiserie

Pair of Baker Faux Bamboo Chairs Armchairs Chinoiserie

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in Atlanta, GA

Pair of Elegant Faux Bamboo Chairs in the Chinese Chippendale or Chinoiserie Style, made by Baker, American, circa 1960s. If you would like us to make cushions for these, we can make...

Category

1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Chairs

Materials

Cane, Wood

Vintage Regency Paper Mache Chair
Vintage Regency Paper Mache Chair

Vintage Regency Paper Mache Chair

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Brimming with Victorian-era charm, this exquisite side chair is a remarkable work of art. The frame is crafted from ebonized wood or papier-mâché, featuring a romantic heart-shaped b...

Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Chairs

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Wood, Lacquer

Pair of Asian Inspired Slipper Chairs with Cashmere Velvet Upholstery
Pair of Asian Inspired Slipper Chairs with Cashmere Velvet Upholstery

Pair of Asian Inspired Slipper Chairs with Cashmere Velvet Upholstery

Located in Palm Desert, CA

This is an exceptionally well crafted pair of asian inspired slipper chairs, newly upholstered in a cashmere velvet with bleached wood accents. Circa 1940s, these chairs reflect the ...

Category

1940s American Vintage Chinoiserie Chairs

Materials

Textile, Wood

Michael Taylor for Baker Far East Lounge Chairs
Michael Taylor for Baker Far East Lounge Chairs

Michael Taylor for Baker Far East Lounge Chairs

By Baker Furniture Company, Michael Taylor

Located in Atlanta, GA

Pair of Low Slung Asian Influenced Lounge Chairs, designed by Michael Taylor for Baker's Far East Line, American, circa 1960s. They have been recently reupholstered and are ready to ...

Category

1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Chairs

Materials

Metal

Vintage Chinoiserie Tortoise Bamboo Arm Chair
Vintage Chinoiserie Tortoise Bamboo Arm Chair

Vintage Chinoiserie Tortoise Bamboo Arm Chair

Located in Oklahoma City, OK

A gorgeous barrel-back bamboo armchair. This piece reminds us of a Brighton Pavillion chair. It has a rounded barrel back with a split bamboo...

Category

20th Century American Chinoiserie Chairs

Materials

Bamboo

Mid Century Chinese Asian Rosewood & Marble Armchairs Pair
Mid Century Chinese Asian Rosewood & Marble Armchairs Pair

Mid Century Chinese Asian Rosewood & Marble Armchairs Pair

Located in Lake Worth, FL

For FULL item description click on CONTINUE READING at the bottom of this page. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Pair of Mid Century Chi...

Category

Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Chairs

Materials

Marble

Maitland Smith Style Tessellated Stone over Wood Pair Armchairs Asian Modern 70s
Maitland Smith Style Tessellated Stone over Wood Pair Armchairs Asian Modern 70s

Maitland Smith Style Tessellated Stone over Wood Pair Armchairs Asian Modern 70s

By Maitland Smith

Located in Miami, FL

Pair of Maitland Smith Style Asian Modern tessellated stone over wood Armchairs, Side Chairs. A gray and taupe tessellated stone over wood covered chair with bronze color pattern and brass inlays. They come with custom seat cushions...

Category

Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Chairs

Materials

Stone, Brass

Vintage Modern Ming Horseshoe Pair Chairs with Designer Geometric Cushions
Vintage Modern Ming Horseshoe Pair Chairs with Designer Geometric Cushions

Vintage Modern Ming Horseshoe Pair Chairs with Designer Geometric Cushions

By Sally Sirkin Lewis

Located in Palm Springs, CA

Note: These chairs are very chic! Pair of custom ordered chairs came from a high-end country club estate in Indian Wells California. The entire estate was designed by Sally Sirkin Lewis. We are not sure of the designer or maker of these chairs but they were certainly used to be mixed in a very contemporary modern setting. Known as “Quanyi” or “Horseshoe Chairs”, They are also known as “Ming “Dynasty” chairs...

Category

1970s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Chairs

Materials

Wood

Late 20th Century Vintage Chinoiserie Official’s Hat Chairs, a Pair
Late 20th Century Vintage Chinoiserie Official’s Hat Chairs, a Pair

Late 20th Century Vintage Chinoiserie Official’s Hat Chairs, a Pair

Located in North Canton, OH

A brilliant pair chinoiserie officials arm chairs. Gorgeous hand painted details cover ever inch of the surface of these beautiful chairs. Excellent Vintage condition.

Category

Late 20th Century East Asian Chinoiserie Chairs

Materials

Wood

Solid Wood Ming Chinoiserie Dining Chairs, Set of 8
Solid Wood Ming Chinoiserie Dining Chairs, Set of 8

Solid Wood Ming Chinoiserie Dining Chairs, Set of 8

Located in Lake Worth, FL

For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...

Category

Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Chairs

Materials

Cotton, Wood

Pair of White Wooden Faux Bamboo Chairs
Pair of White Wooden Faux Bamboo Chairs

Pair of White Wooden Faux Bamboo Chairs

By Phyllis Morris

Located in Redding, CT

Pair of White Faux Bamboo Chairs. Fun boho chic beachy coastal chairs with dragon print fabric. Nice thick cotton blend. Solid wooden heavy chairs. Approximate Measurements: 39.38" ...

Category

1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Paint

Vintage Chinoiserie Style Faux Bamboo Accent, Desk or Vanity Chair c. 1970s
Vintage Chinoiserie Style Faux Bamboo Accent, Desk or Vanity Chair c. 1970s

Vintage Chinoiserie Style Faux Bamboo Accent, Desk or Vanity Chair c. 1970s

Located in Atlanta, GA

Chic vintage side chair in the classic Chinoiserie style. The wood frame is expertly crafted as faux bamboo with a distressed and antiqued cream lacquer. Can't you imagine this in a...

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Hardwood, Lacquer

19th-C. English Red Chinoiserie Child’s Bergere Chair in Linen
19th-C. English Red Chinoiserie Child’s Bergere Chair in Linen

19th-C. English Red Chinoiserie Child’s Bergere Chair in Linen

Located in Kennesaw, GA

This is wonderful! It is a late 19th century red chinoiserie child’s chair newly upholstered in a flax linen. Note the exquisite detail to the back and arms!

Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Chairs

Materials

Linen, Wood

Pair of Italian Brass Bamboo Side Chairs
Pair of Italian Brass Bamboo Side Chairs

Pair of Italian Brass Bamboo Side Chairs

$1,250Sale Price / set|48% Off

Pair of Italian Brass Bamboo Side Chairs

Located in Stamford, CT

Pair of midcentury Italian brass bamboo side chairs. Newly upholstered in pink velvet fabric. Overall unpolished patina to brass. Stamped ‘Made in Italy’ on the underside. Seat is 1...

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Chairs

Materials

Brass

Chinoiserie Lacquered Bentwood, Cane, Accent Armchair with a Woven Grass Seat
Chinoiserie Lacquered Bentwood, Cane, Accent Armchair with a Woven Grass Seat

Chinoiserie Lacquered Bentwood, Cane, Accent Armchair with a Woven Grass Seat

Located in Miami, FL

Chinoiserie Lacquered Bentwood, Cane, Accent Armchair with a Woven Grass Seat Offered for sale is a chinoiserie style lacquered bentwood, rattan, cane accent armchair with a woven g...

Category

20th Century Chinoiserie Chairs

Materials

Bamboo, Cane, Rattan

Antique Chinoiserie Ebonized Rosewood High Relief Ball & Claw Scholars Chair
Antique Chinoiserie Ebonized Rosewood High Relief Ball & Claw Scholars Chair

Antique Chinoiserie Ebonized Rosewood High Relief Ball & Claw Scholars Chair

Located in Dayton, OH

Antique Chinoiserie side dining, scholars, or vanity chair. Made of ebonized Rosewood featuring highly ornate gothic inspired carvings with dragons, bats, squirrels, flowers, nuts, b...

Category

19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Chairs

Materials

Rosewood

Victorian Chinoiserie era Molded Plaster Chaise Percée Commode Chair
Victorian Chinoiserie era Molded Plaster Chaise Percée Commode Chair

Victorian Chinoiserie era Molded Plaster Chaise Percée Commode Chair

Located in Las Vegas, NV

This late 19th century "throne" is a fine example of elegant furniture making meeting functional necessity. Known as a "Chaise Percée" this type of furniture was common until the advent of widespread indoor plumbing at the beginning of 20th century. Economic level would dictate extravagance of design and this artful chair...

Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Chairs

Materials

Gesso, Upholstery, Oak

C.19th Ebonised Chinoiserie Chair Mother-of-Pearl Inlay & Parcel-Gilt Decoration
C.19th Ebonised Chinoiserie Chair Mother-of-Pearl Inlay & Parcel-Gilt Decoration

C.19th Ebonised Chinoiserie Chair Mother-of-Pearl Inlay & Parcel-Gilt Decoration

Located in Leeds, GB

19th Century Ebonised Chinoiserie Chair with Canework Seat, Mother-of-Pearl Inlay and Parcel Gilt Decoration A decorative piece only! A beautifully detailed 19th century ebonised ch...

Category

19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Chairs

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Wood

Vintage Regency Hand Carved Fauteuil Chairs - A Pair
Vintage Regency Hand Carved Fauteuil Chairs - A Pair

Vintage Regency Hand Carved Fauteuil Chairs - A Pair

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

This exquisite pair of armchairs, presented in the elegant Fauteuil style, exemplifies sophisticated Neoclassical and Louis XVI influences combined with unexpected Chinoiserie flair....

Category

Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut

Huge Asian Chinoiserie Carved Rosewood Armchair
Huge Asian Chinoiserie Carved Rosewood Armchair

Huge Asian Chinoiserie Carved Rosewood Armchair

Located in Lake Worth, FL

For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering one of our recent palm beach estate fine furniture acquisitions of an Oversized Asian chinoiserie carved rosewood armchair...

Category

Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Chairs

Materials

Rosewood, Cotton

Chinoiserie chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinoiserie chairs 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 chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinoiserie chairs made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Europe pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original chairs, popular names associated with this style include Baker Furniture Company, Century Furniture, Baker Far East Collection, and Calico Corners. 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 chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $495 and tops out at $32,400 while the average work can sell for $2,435.