Chinoiserie Ceramics
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.
1960s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Ceramics
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Ceramics
Clay, Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Ceramics
Enamel
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Ceramics
Porcelain
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Ceramics
Majolica, Pottery
20th Century Chinoiserie Ceramics
Terracotta
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Ceramics
Ceramic
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Ceramics
Wood, Fabric, Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Ceramics
Terracotta
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Ceramics
Ceramic
1690s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Ceramics
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Ceramics
Porcelain
1690s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Ceramics
Ceramic
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Ceramics
Bronze
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Ceramics
Ceramic
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Ceramics
Ceramic
1880s European Antique Chinoiserie Ceramics
Porcelain
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Ceramics
Porcelain
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Ceramics
Ceramic
20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Ceramics
Ceramic, Porcelain
2010s Chinese Chinoiserie Ceramics
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Ceramics
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Ceramics
Porcelain
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Ceramics
Paint, Porcelain
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Ceramics
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Ceramics
Ceramic, Paint
20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Ceramics
Ceramic, Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Ceramics
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Ceramics
Brass
Early 20th Century Vietnamese Chinoiserie Ceramics
Ceramic
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Ceramics
Earthenware
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Ceramics
18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Ceramics
Earthenware
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Ceramics
Earthenware
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Ceramics
Earthenware
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Ceramics
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Ceramics
Porcelain
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Ceramics
Ceramic
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Ceramics
Ceramic, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Ceramics
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Ceramics
Ceramic
Late 18th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Ceramics
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Ceramics
Ceramic, Paint
19th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Ceramics
Celadon, Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Ceramics
Ceramic, Paint
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Ceramics
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Ceramics
Porcelain
20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Ceramics
Pottery, Ceramic
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Ceramics
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Ceramics
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Ceramics
Ceramic, Paint
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Ceramics
Celadon
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Ceramics
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Ceramics
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Brazilian Antique Chinoiserie Ceramics
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Ceramics
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Ceramics
Ceramic, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Ceramics
Porcelain