Indonesian Alter Table

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.

Vintage, new and antique serving tables, similar to tray tables, were designed for convenience and portability. These furnishings resemble small bedside tables and typically come with wheels for smooth transitions from room to room.

Serving tables — which are sometimes called servers — are primarily used for serving food in your dining room but are adaptable for other purposes, such as offering storage in a kitchen or workspace. These tables differ from buffets in that they are smaller and more formal pieces of furniture. Serving tables are also popular as bar carts. If you don’t have the room to create a cheerful home bar, a serving table can fit in tight spaces.

While most serving tables have wheels, some have stationary feet, depending on the style or period of the piece. Many antique serving tables dating back to the 18th century and earlier, for instance, do not have wheels.

Whether you’re seeking out a stationary design to provide extra storage space or a large wheeled model, browse 1stDibs for an extensive inventory of serving tables and other tables today.