Chinoiserie Metalwork
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 Cambodian Vintage Chinoiserie Metalwork
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Metalwork
Metal, Enamel
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Metalwork
Brass, Enamel
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Metalwork
Bronze
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Metalwork
Bronze
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Metalwork
Metal, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Metalwork
Brass
1970s Indian Vintage Chinoiserie Metalwork
Metal, Brass
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Metalwork
Metal, Enamel
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Metalwork
Metal
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Metalwork
Bronze
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Metalwork
Brass
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Metalwork
Bronze
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Metalwork
Metal
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Metalwork
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Metalwork
Brass
20th Century American Chinoiserie Metalwork
Metal
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Metalwork
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Metalwork
Copper, Enamel
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Metalwork
Copper
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Metalwork
Enamel
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Metalwork
Wood
1950s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Metalwork
Metal, Bronze
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Metalwork
Metal
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Metalwork
Metal, Enamel
Early 20th Century Indian Chinoiserie Metalwork
Tin, Copper, Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Metalwork
Metal, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Metalwork
Copper
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Metalwork
Copper, Enamel
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Metalwork
Metal, Enamel
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Metalwork
Coral, Silver
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Metalwork
Metal, Silver, Enamel
20th Century Chinoiserie Metalwork
Bronze
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Metalwork
Brass
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Metalwork
Gold, Silver, Bronze, Copper
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Metalwork
Metal
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Metalwork
Copper, Enamel
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Metalwork
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Metalwork
Metal
1960s Korean Vintage Chinoiserie Metalwork
Brass
1910s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Metalwork
Enamel
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Metalwork
Brass, Enamel
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Metalwork
Metal, Enamel
1890s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Metalwork
Sterling Silver
1930s Vintage Chinoiserie Metalwork
Brass
Late 19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Metalwork
Metal, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Metalwork
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Metalwork
Metal, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Metalwork
Metal