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 Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 1900s British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1970s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Early 20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Soapstone
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Fruitwood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
1940s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Fabric, Bamboo, Hardwood
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Boxwood, Lacquer, Paint
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Brass
1930s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paper
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl, Cane, Giltwood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Enamel, Gold Leaf
1980s Portuguese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paper
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Giltwood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany, Walnut
1920s English Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1910s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Burl
1920s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Stone
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade, Silver
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Silk
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Steel
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1960s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Faience
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain