Chinoiserie Asian Art and 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.
1960s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Paper
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Silk
20th Century American Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Stone
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Marble, Brass
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Textile
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Textile
Mid-20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Silk
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Agate
Mid-20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Silk
1960s Cambodian Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Silk
Mid-20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Silk
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Boxwood, Lacquer, Paint
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Enamel
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Clay, Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Lacquer
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Metal, Enamel
Early 20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Soapstone
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Fruitwood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Hardwood
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Soapstone
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Majolica, Pottery
20th Century Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Terracotta
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan, Wood, Paint
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood, Fabric, Ceramic
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Lacquer
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
1980s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Bamboo
1950s Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
20th Century Vietnamese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Eggshell, Mother-of-Pearl
Late 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain, Paint
1690s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Terracotta
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Glass, Wood, Paper
19th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Brass, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain, Paint, Wood
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Brass
1690s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Stoneware
1690s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Stone, Jade
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain