Chinoiserie Folk Art
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.
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Folk Art
Lacquer
1720s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Folk Art
Ceramic
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Folk Art
Plywood
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Folk Art
Plywood
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Folk Art
Plywood
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Folk Art
Ceramic, Paint
19th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Folk Art
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Folk Art
Stone
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Folk Art
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Folk Art
Glass, Wood
1950s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Folk Art
Metal
20th Century Indonesian Chinoiserie Folk Art
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Folk Art
Metal
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Folk Art
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Folk Art
Wood, Paint
1890s French Antique Chinoiserie Folk Art
Wire
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Folk Art
Wood, Paint
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Folk Art
Gesso, Glass, Wood, Paint
1880s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Folk Art
Satin
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Folk Art
Bamboo
Early 1900s English Antique Chinoiserie Folk Art
Oak
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Chinoiserie Folk Art
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Folk Art
Ceramic, Stoneware, Pottery, Clay
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Folk Art
Porcelain
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Folk Art
Ceramic
1830s Austrian Antique Chinoiserie Folk Art
Fir
Early 20th Century Swedish Chinoiserie Folk Art
Pine
Late 18th Century Austrian Antique Chinoiserie Folk Art
Paint
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Folk Art
Ceramic
19th Century American Antique Chinoiserie Folk Art
Wood
1810s Austrian Antique Chinoiserie Folk Art
Fir
1850s German Antique Chinoiserie Folk Art
Pine
Late 20th Century North American Chinoiserie Folk Art
Wood, Lacquer
Late 18th Century Unknown Antique Chinoiserie Folk Art
Glass, Wood
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Folk Art
Softwood
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Folk Art
Ceramic, Paint
1890s French Antique Chinoiserie Folk Art
Wire
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Folk Art
Silver
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Folk Art
Resin
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Folk Art
Paper
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Folk Art
Wood, Paper
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Folk Art
Bamboo, Rattan, Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Folk Art
Wicker
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Folk Art
Gold