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.
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Velvet, Cotton, Down
1970s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Early 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Paint
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Early 20th Century German Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Leather, Wood
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
Early 20th Century European Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood
1930s Australian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Terracotta
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1970s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Rosewood
1830s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Paper
Early 2000s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Textile, Upholstery, Wood, Down
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Textile
1870s Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Elm
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Silver Leaf
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Enamel
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton, Linen
1970s German Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1920s British Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Early 1900s Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Linen
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 17th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Indonesian Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Steel, Stainless Steel
1750s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Rattan, Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1890s Russian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood