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.
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Lighting
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Lighting
Porcelain
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal, Brass
2010s American Chinoiserie Lighting
Wood
1970s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Lighting
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Lighting
Marble, Brass
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Porcelain, Giltwood
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century English Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic
20th Century Chinoiserie Lighting
Crystal, Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Lighting
Porcelain, Wood
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Silk, Wood
1980s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Lighting
Paint
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Lighting
Porcelain
Late 17th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Faience
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Porcelain, Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass, Enamel
1940s French Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Glass
1940s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Wood
Late 17th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Faience
Late 17th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Faience
Late 19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
1980s Argentine Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Lacquer
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary English Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic
1920s British Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Wood
Early 1900s English Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Giltwood, Paint
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal
Mid-20th Century Belgian Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic, Fabric
Early 2000s American Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal
Late 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Glass
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic, Hardwood
20th Century American Chinoiserie Lighting
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Lighting
Crystal, Tin
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal
1960s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Bronze, Enamel
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Lighting
Crystal, Rock Crystal
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Lighting
Porcelain
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Lacquer
1950s Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass