Fitz And Floyd Chinoiserie
Vintage 1980s Japanese Chinoiserie More Dining and Entertaining
Ceramic
Vintage 1960s Japanese Chinoiserie Animal Sculptures
Ceramic
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Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
Art Glass
21st Century and Contemporary American Country Sofas
Brass
20th Century American Lounge Chairs
Leather
2010s Central American Sofas
Leather, Hardwood
20th Century American Armchairs
Chrome
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Glass, Walnut
2010s Central American Sofas
Leather, Hardwood
Vintage 1970s Italian Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century French Paperweights
Glass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Art Glass
1990s English Country Dinner Plates
Ceramic
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Tobacco Accessories
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
Vintage 1970s American Chairs
Leather, Walnut
Early 20th Century American Bookends
Metal
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Figurative Sculptures
Ceramic, Wood
Vintage 1970s Chinese Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Chrome
Recent Sales
Vintage 1970s Japanese Chinoiserie More Dining and Entertaining
Other
Late 20th Century American Regency Porcelain
Porcelain
Vintage 1970s English Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain
Vintage 1970s Japanese Chinoiserie More Dining and Entertaining
Other
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Candlesticks
Pottery
Vintage 1980s Japanese Chinoiserie More Dining and Entertaining
20th Century Chinoiserie Sculptures and Carvings
Porcelain
20th Century Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain
A Close Look at 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.