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.
19th Century Chinoserie Tray
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Large serving tray in metal. Golden hand-painted chinoserie details on black colored metal. Backside black colored. Painted with flowers, birds all around and a chinese family in th...
Metal
$2,450 / set
Set of Five Chinoiserie Faience Dishes
Located in New York, NY
Set of five chinoiserie faience dishes. Set of four Italian faience plates with matching basket with decorative hand painted chinoiserie figures in landscapes with reticulated painte...
Faience
$621Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of Six Antique Mason's Ironstone Plates, Chinoiserie, Circa 1813
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very early and decorative set of SIX matching Mason's Ironstone Desert Plates, all in the Scroll Landscape and Prunus pattern and dating to th...
Ironstone
Georgian Mason's Ironstone Serving Dish & Cover in Chinese Dragon Ptn, Ca 1818
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very decorative ironstone large square serving dish complete with lid or cover, made by Mason's of Lane Delph, Staffordshire, England, during the early part of the 19th cen...
Ironstone
$621Sale Price / set|28% Off
Georgian Masons Ironstone Sauce Tureen & Base Plate Vase & Rock Ptn, circa 1818
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very decorative ironstone pottery Sauce Tureen complete with cover lid and base plate, produced by the Mason's factory at Lane Delph, Staffordshi...
Ironstone
19th Century English Chinoiserie and Gilt Japanned Tray of the Regency Period
Located in London, GB
Japanned onto tinplated steel, of dished form, with radiused corners and pierced handles, decorated in gilt with Chinoiserie scenes of court life. Dimensions: 26 in / 66 cm x 33 in / 84 cm. After the invention of the rolling mill...
Metal
Vintage Asian Chinese Bamboo Large rectangular Serving Tray
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage large rectangular Asian bamboo serving tray. The board is very light and in good vintage condition. A large Asian Chinese tray of woven bamboo wi...
Faux Bamboo
Vintage Sheffield Carving Knife and Fork Set with Porcelain Handles
By Sheffield
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Sheffield carving knife and fork set, stainless steel, pink Floraine porcelain handles. This vintage set of fine Sheffield carving knife and...
Stainless Steel
English Blue and White Chinoiserie Plate
Located in New York, NY
English blue and white chinoiserie plate. Davenport Staffordshire oval plate in the "Chinoiserie Ruins" pattern with reticulated ...
Vintage Large Asian Bamboo Serving Tray, Chinoiserie Design, 1970
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage large Asian bamboo serving tray. The board is very light and in good vintage condition. A large Asian tray of woven bamboo with center decorated with a scene of a an Asian Goddess...
Bamboo, Faux Bamboo
Mason's Ironstone Sauce Tureen, Chinoiserie Pattern, Circa 1820
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a beautiful Ironstone Sauce Tureen, complete with lid, made by Mason's of Lane Delph, Staffordshire, England, during the early part of the 19th century, circa 1820. This t...
Ironstone
Georgian Masons Ironstone Sauce Tureen & Lid Gilded Water Lily Pattern, Ca 1820
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a superb Ironstone Sauce Tureen, complete with lid , made by Mason's of Lane Delph, Staffordshire, England, during the early part of the 19th century, circa 1820. This tureen is well potted and is hexagonal in shape with moulded animal head handles to the base and a flower head knob to the lid. The pattern is called "Water Lily" and is a well known Mason's pattern, as illustrated on pages 136 in The Mason's collectors Club book " A Guide to Mason's patent Ironstone patterns, c 1813 to c 1848" . This particular piece is the gilded version of the pattern and has heavily applied hand gilded highlights. Tureens of the same shape and period are illustrated on Pages 145 and 155 of Godden's Guide to Mason's China and the Ironstone Wares published by the Antique Collectors' Club. The pattern is beautifully hand painted over a printed pattern with bold enamels of Cobalt Blue, burnt orange, green, puce all in various shades with much additional hand gilding. The pieces are unmarked as was often the case if the item had formed part of a large dinner or desert service...
Ironstone
Blue and White Chinoiserie Plate Strainer
Located in New York, NY
Blue and white chinoiserie plate strainer. Substantial and rare early Worcester strainer with strong blue and white chinoiserie scene with figures on c...
Ceramic
$325Sale Price|20% Off
Chinoiserie Little Tray Red Papier Mache, Late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Chinese oval decorative little tray papier mâché with a handle late 19th century. Classic chinoiserie scene of the period Napoleon III. Can also be used as mural decoration...
Paper
$695Sale Price|22% Off
Rare and Fine Antique English Spode Ironstone Kakiemon Decor Warming Dish
By Spode
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
Exceedingly rare antique English Spode ironstone Kakiemon decor warming dish. A/F slight clips to leaf near handle. Pattern number as recorded o...
Ironstone
Chinoiserie Set of Four Porcelain Cups Hand Painted Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
These completely handmade porcelain cups with saucers are painted by hand with a charming hands-free chinoiserie decor. The set comes as a set of four hand painted cups with a chinoi...
Porcelain
Victorian 3 Tier Oriental Cake Stand A charming piece, in Burnt Orange Lacquer
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Victorian 3 Tier Oriental Cake Stand A charming piece, in Burnt Orange Lacquer, decorated with a story The stand is in good condition, it is 35” tall and the shelves are 11” in diam...
Lacquer
Oriental Folk Art Carved Dragon Tray This Is a Lovely Piece of Hand Carving
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Oriental Folk Art Carved Dragon Tray This is a lovely piece of hand carving, the tray is octagonal with a dragon at every corner A superb piece which neat handles carved into th...
Teak
$756
H 11.82 in W 7.88 in D 3.15 in
Silver-Plated Tray Five Cut Glass Dishes, Vintage condiment set, canapé Service
Located in Wembley, GB
Silver-Plated Tray with Five Cut Glass Dishes, Vintage Entertaining Set A refined vintage silver-plated large serving tray complete with five original cut glass dishes, this elegant ...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Silver
19th Century Set of Mason's Plates
Located in High Point, NC
19th century set of four English ironstone plates, signed Mason's over a crown and banner. The plates are transfer decorated in a pattern of florals ...
Ironstone
$268
H 1.25 in W 9 in D 9 in
Antique Mason's Ironstone Imari Pattern Finest Gilding and Sculpted Plate
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Antique Mason's ironstone Imari pattern finest gilding and sculpted plate, English, 19th century. Highest quality.
Ceramic
19th Century Majolica Serving Tray with Birds Sarreguemines
Located in Austin, TX
A charming Majolica serving tray with wood and metal handles circa 1890. A scene with a swallow and delicate flowers. Attributed to Sarreguemin...
Metal
Middle Eastern Antique Dallah Arabic Copper Coffee Pot
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
19th century Middle Eastern Arabian tinned copper Dallah coffee pot. Antique decorative Arabic coffee pot hand-hammered and chased copper with riveted br...
Brass, Copper
$179Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.75 in Dm 6 in
19th Century English Chinoiserie Papier Mache Wine Coaster Tray
Located in Pearland, TX
An antique 19th-Century English black lacquered papier mache wine coaster or tray with a handpainted Chinoiseirie figure and gilt edge. It w...
Paper
English Tole Chinoiserie Painted Tray, mid 19th century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Of rectangular form with rounded corners and a raised edge, painted with chinoiserie decoration
Tin
$605Sale Price|30% Off
H 1 in Dm 9.5 in
Antique Mason's Ironstone Plate – Blue Willow Pattern, Circa 1820
Located in Worcester Park, GB
This exceptional ceramic plate is a fine example of early 19th-century English pottery, produced by the renowned Mason’s Ironstone China around 1820. Featuring the iconic Blue Willow...
Ceramic
C. 1880 Set of 4 Highly Decorative Mason's/Ashworth Ironstone Plates
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1880 set of 4 Mason's/Ashworth Ironstone Plates. A highly decorative set of Ashworth's Brothers "Real Ironstone China" in swirlling floral & geometric pattern. The pattern ...
Ironstone
19th Century French Tole Tray With Hand-Painted Harbor Scene
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Oval French tole tray from the 19th century featuring a richly painted harbor scene at center, bordered by a deep red ground with intricate gilt vine and grape motifs. The pierced ha...
Metal
19th Century inlaid mahogany tray
Located in Martlesham, GB
A lovely quality 19th Century inlaid mahogany tray of oval form, having a shaped gallery edge with brass carrying handles either end, having lovely intricate inlay incorporating vari...
Mahogany
$45 / set
H 1 in W 5.5 in D 7 in
Vintage Wood Card Suit Dishes, Set of 4, Mid Century Snack or Decorative Trays
Located in Fairfield, CA
A set of 4 mid century wood dishes, each in the shape of a different card suit. Beautiful grain to the wood. Perfect for using as snack or decorative trays. Made in The Philippines. ...
Wood
10 Antique Chinese Export Canton Blue White Pagoda Landscape Bread Plates 7"
Located in Dayton, OH
Ten antique mid to early 19th century Chinese Canton blue and white porcelain bread and butter or dessert plates. Produced in Guangzhou (historically known as Canton), specifically ...
Porcelain
Antique Booths 'Old Dutch Peacock' China 26-Piece Dinner Service
By Booth's
Located in Worcester Park, GB
This exquisite antique dinner service by Booths features the coveted Old Dutch Peacock pattern — a richly detailed chinoiserie design that blend...
Earthenware
Sold
H 1.25 in W 11.25 in D 14.25 in
68 Pc English Coalport Indian Tree Coral Scalloped Dinnerware Service Set for 12
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage 68 piece lot of Coalport Bone China dinnerware in the Indian Tree Coral pattern. First produced by Coalport on 1801, features scalloped / gilt edges...
Porcelain
Sold
H 9 in W 10.25 in D 13 in
Large Noritake Handpainted Lusterware Punch Bowl Set with Nine Matching Cups
By Noritake
Located in West Hartford, CT
Colorful and large footed pedestal centerpiece punch bowl with 9 matching cups. Stunning hand painted scenery of sunset on a lake cottage scene complete ...
Ceramic, Porcelain
Silver Godinger Chinoiserie Pagoda Salt and Pepper Shakers
By Godinger
Located in Elkhart, IN
A charming pair of silver plate salt & pepper shakers in the form of pagodas By Godinger Circa 1970s Measures: 1.5"W x 1.5"D x 3.5"H. Very good vintage condition.
Silver Plate
Sold
H 8.5 in W 11 in D 1.5 in
Chinoiserie English Ashworth Ironstone Cobalt Blue Rust and Gilt Small Platter
Located in Savannah, GA
This very colorful cobalt blue, green and rust English Ironstone small platter is marked on the back with the royal crest and "Callum & Shapus, 13 Cocksp...
Ironstone
Vintage Brass Enamel Cloisonne Small Trinket Dish 8 Pc Set, Green
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage brass enamel cloisonne small trinket dish 8 pc set - green. Circa late 20th century. Measurements: 0.5" height x 4.5" diameter.
Brass
Sold
H 7.25 in W 11.63 in D 10.63 in
Georgian Mason's Ironstone Vegetable Tureen & Lid Gilded Water Lily Ptn, Ca 1820
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a superb large Ironstone Vegetable Tureen, complete with cover or lid , made by Mason's of Lane Delph, Staffordshire, England, during the early part of the 19th century, circa 1820. This tureen is well potted and is hexagonal in shape with a moulded flower head knob to the lid. This is a substantial piece of pottery weighing about 2Kg unpacked. The pattern is called "Water Lily" and is a well known Mason's pattern, as illustrated on pages 136 in The Mason's collectors Club book " A Guide to Mason's patent Ironstone patterns, c 1813 to c 1848" . This particular piece is the gilded version of the pattern and has heavily applied hand gilded highlights. Tureens of the same shape and period are illustrated on Pages 148 and 139 of Godden's Guide to Mason's China and the Ironstone Wares published by the Antique Collectors' Club. The pattern is beautifully hand painted over a printed pattern with bold enamels of Cobalt Blue, burnt orange, green, puce all in various shades with much additional hand gilding. The pieces are unmarked as was often the case if the item had formed part of a large dinner or desert...
Ironstone
Sold
H 8 in W 7.63 in D 5.38 in
Georgian Mason's Ironstone Desert Tureen & Lid in Chinese Thorn pattern, Ca 1818
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very beautiful Ironstone Desert Tureen, complete with lid , in the Chinese Thorn pattern, made by Mason's of Lane Delph, Staffordshire, England, during the early part of the 19th century, circa 1818. This pedestal tureen is well potted and is melon shaped, standing on a divided two section foot and with two side handles. The domed lid has a flower cone knob handle to the top with a cut-away to take a serving spoon. base and a flower head knob to the lid. This tureen has a rarely seen superb shape with an equally rare pattern. The pattern is called "Chinese Thorn" or Prunus Tree, Rock and Flowers...
Ironstone
Vintage Mother of Pearl Caviar Spoons in Box
Located in Fort Washington, MD
Beautiful vintage set of 6 caviar Mother of Pearl spoons in original box Delicate high end spoons that will set your table setup apart ! Origina...
Mother-of-Pearl
Early 19th C. Masons Chinoiserie Sweet Meat Platters
Located in New Orleans, LA
An outstanding pair of early 19th c. Masons ironstone chinoiserie pattern platters with gorgeous cobalt blue, salmon and green colors. D...
Ironstone
Sold
H 10.5 in W 23 in D 13 in
English Rattan and Bamboo Breakfast Bed Tray with Magazine Rack and Cup Holder
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Do you really need another excuse for breakfast in bed? We didn't think so. Bring the outdoors in, with this traditional lap tray. This bamboo and rattan bed tray...
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan