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 17th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Indonesian Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany
Early 1900s Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Linen
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Silver Leaf
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Steel, Stainless Steel
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1970s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Enamel
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass
Early 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Alabaster
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Textile, Cane, Rattan, Plywood
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Iron
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror
Early 20th Century British Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1890s Russian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Ormolu
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary Chinoiserie Furniture
Velvet
Early 1800s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Foil
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Glass
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Brass
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Tin
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Rattan, Wood
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1950s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century North American Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood
Early 19th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1960s British Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Pottery
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century German Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Glass, Wood, Paper
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Wood, Lacquer
Early 18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Early 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Leaf
1880s Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer, Paint, Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1920s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood