Chinoiserie Lighting
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.
20th Century Chinoiserie Lighting
Jade, Brass
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Lighting
Porcelain
Early 1900s French Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Lighting
Composition
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass, Gold Leaf
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Lighting
Paint
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Lighting
Porcelain
2010s Dutch Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal
1960s Dutch Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
1970s Dutch Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Belgian Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
Mid-20th Century English Chinoiserie Lighting
Bronze
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic, Wood
Early 1900s British Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Wood
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Lighting
Rock Crystal, Bronze
1970s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Silk, Wood, Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic, Wood
Early 20th Century Belgian Chinoiserie Lighting
Bronze, Ormolu
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Porcelain
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Wood
1970s French Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Gold Leaf
1980s Swedish Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Plaster
Mid-20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Lighting
Wood, Paper, Teak
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Lighting
Paint, Hardwood
1960s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Wood, Ceramic
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass, Bronze
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Bronze
1940s American Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic, Fabric, Bamboo, Hardwood
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic, Silk
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass, Steel
20th Century Chinoiserie Lighting
Enamel
Late 20th Century English Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic
20th Century Chinoiserie Lighting
Enamel
1950s French Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Lighting
Pottery
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Lighting
Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Lighting
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Lighting
Porcelain, Ceramic
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Lighting
Mirror
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic, Rosewood
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic, Porcelain
20th Century Chinoiserie Lighting
Crystal, Rock Crystal
Early 20th Century German Chinoiserie Lighting
Bronze
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic
1920s British Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass, Ormolu