Chinoiserie Seating
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.
1980s English Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Linen, Upholstery, Wood
Early 2000s American Chinoiserie Seating
Fabric, Wood
20th Century British Chinoiserie Seating
Faux Bamboo, Cane
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Textile, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Chinoiserie Seating
Composition
1960s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Rattan
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Seating
Wood, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Cotton
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Seating
Mother-of-Pearl, Cane, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Seating
Steel, Stainless Steel
1960s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Seating
Marble
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Brass
1990s American Chinoiserie Seating
Lacquer, Giltwood, Cane
21st Century and Contemporary Chinoiserie Seating
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Chinoiserie Seating
Cotton, Linen, Faux Bamboo, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century North American Chinoiserie Seating
Fabric, Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Wood, Fabric
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Fabric, Wood
1970s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Brass
1970s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Seating
Rosewood
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Wood
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Seating
Textile, Cane, Rattan, Plywood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Seating
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Wood, Paint, Fabric
1920s British Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Fabric, Wood, Lacquer
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Gesso, Upholstery, Oak
Early 2000s American Chinoiserie Seating
Textile, Upholstery, Wood, Down
1880s Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Padouk
Early 1900s British Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Lacquer
Late 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Seating
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Seating
Ceramic, Porcelain
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Softwood
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Seating
Enamel
2010s American Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Wood
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Cane, Walnut
20th Century Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Seating
Mother-of-Pearl, Padouk
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Rosewood
20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Seating
Brass
Late 20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Seating
Wood, Teak
1970s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Softwood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Seating
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Seating
Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Fabric, Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Seating
Wood, Paint
Early 1900s Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Cane, Wood
Early 1900s Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
Late 19th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Velvet, Beech
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Wood
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Seating
Beech
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Seating
Mahogany