Chinoiserie 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.
Early 20th Century Belgian Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Textile, Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk, Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Chinoiserie Furniture
Paint
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Clay, Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Faience, Maiolica
Mid-20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Mid-20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
Mid-20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Wicker, Mirror
Mid-20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1970s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Leaf
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1910s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Breccia Marble
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
1980s Swedish Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Plaster
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Early 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
2010s Chinoiserie Furniture
Rattan
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade, Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1840s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
1940s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paper
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paper, Teak
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Cherry, Paint
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Paint, Hardwood
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Bone
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut, Paint
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
2010s Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Chinoiserie Furniture
Paint
Late 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper