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.
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
2010s Hungarian Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paper
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Rosewood
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1920s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton, Linen, Faux Bamboo, Lacquer
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany
1870s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1970s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
18th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Tin
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
Early 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal, Rock Crystal
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Giltwood
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Silver Leaf
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Faience, Maiolica
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Softwood
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Late 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Paint
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer, Paper
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood
Early 1900s Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Linen
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1970s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1970s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1930s Australian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Terracotta
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Paint
1970s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1690s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood