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Chinoiserie Sculptures and Carvings

CHINOISERIE STYLE

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.

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Sale Items
Style: Chinoiserie
Vintage Single Solid Bronze Tibetan Foo Dog/Lion Sculpture
Located in Fort Washington, MD
Amazing vintage solid bronze Tibetan Foo dog/Lion has a wooden base that it’s not fixed to the sculpture It’s a heavy and extremely detailed piece th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bronze

Chung Hsing Chinese Genuine Cinnabar Carved Lacquer Box, circa 1900
Located in Vero Beach, FL
This extraordinary cinnabar lacquer box is a masterpiece and exemplary among the highest level of intricate masterful ancient Chinese traditional ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Enamel

Hand Carved Teak Chinese Figure Holding a Ruy
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinese carved teak female figure holding a Ruyi (scepter) in her hands with a dog at her feet. The figure is in solid, very sturdy condition. The head is removable. There are some a...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Teak

Hand Carved Teak Chinese Male Figure with Boy
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
The Chinese teak carving of a male water bearer with a boy at his feet. Due to age there are some splits, such as the one down the backside. These do not affect the strength or usab...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood, Teak

Related Items
Chinese Carved Cinnabar Pot with Two Dragons
Located in New York, NY
A Chinese cinnabar pot, produced within the Daoguang period (1890-1920), the body beautifully carved, detailing two celestial dragons, the interior pai...
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Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Sculptures and Carvings

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Chinese Asian Giltwood Carved Ancestor Temple Shrine Emperor Figure with Tiger
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic wood and gilt decorated hand carved Chinese ancestral temple shrine Emperor figure with a tiger. From a collection of Chinese and Asian artifacts...
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Thai Siam Khmer Bronze Gilt Singha Imperial Lion Foo Dog Temple Sculpture
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful Thai or Khmer bronze verdigris and golden parcel-gilt Imperial guardian temple Singha lion/dragon/foo dog. This piece has a wonderful patina and heft to it. Likely mi...
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Hand-Carved Chinese Puddingstone Basin
Located in Chicago, IL
A clean-lined interpretation of an ancient form, this footed basin was hand-carved by artisans in China's Shandong Province. It looks as if it were meticulously painted but the mesme...
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21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Sculptures and Carvings

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Vintage handsome hand carved male Figure with black pedestal.
By Alba China
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a handsome handcrafted male figure standing on a black pedestal. This hand carved figure is uniquely carved into a ball. The sculpture is a man ...
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1980s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Sculptures and Carvings

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Vintage Pair Chinese Gilt Carved Wood Foo Dog / Guardian Lions Figurines
Located in San Francisco, CA
Offered here are a pair vintage Chinese gilt and carved wood Foo Dog/Guardian Lions figurines Wonderful craftsmanship with the hand carving that has gone...
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1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Sculptures and Carvings

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Giltwood

19th Century Chinese Export Oval Cinnabar Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century Chinese Export Oval Cinnabar Box This 19th Century Chinese Export Oval Cinnabar Box is a testament to exceptional craftsmanship and artistr...
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19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Metal

Antique Chinese Cinnabar Box
Located in Miami, FL
A fine antique Chinese red cinnabar lacquer lidded round box carved with a scene with a young boy and a seated elderly bearded sage within a rocky landscape with trees. The "dragon's...
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19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Lacquer

Mid-20th Century Chinese Hand Carved Cinnabar Lacquer Plate
Located in Pomona, CA
This stunning Chinese hand carved cinnabar lacquered plate has Intricate lacquer carving arts of Chinese traditional archetecture and landscape design. It named The Sense of Tough, a...
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Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Lacquer

20C Chinese Soapstone Foo Dog Carving
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a lovely 20C Chinese soapstone foo dog carving. Made in China in the early 20th century circa 1930. This is a small green and brown ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Soapstone

Bronze Tibetan Amitayus
Located in Somis, CA
A beautiful bronze sculpture of The Tibetan Amitayus, the Bodhissatva/Buddha of infinite life, a tantric for of Amitabha, the Buddha of Infinite Light. Adorned with necklaces, crown...
Category

20th Century Tibetan Chinoiserie Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Tibetan Amitayus
Bronze Tibetan Amitayus
H 9 in W 6.5 in D 4.5 in
Pair of Carved Wood and Gilt Finished Chinese Foo Dog Figurines or Sculptures
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of intricately hand carved and hand painted Foo dogs are believed to have made in the mid-20th century in the Imperial style. The dogs are composed of a softwood which have...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Softwood

Previously Available Items
Pair of Japanese Satsuma Kutani Porcelain Foo Dogs Sculptures/Figurines
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a pair of Japanese Satsuma Kutani porcelain Foo Dogs. They are hand painted white and adorned with gilt and silver suns, flowers and scrolls. Bo...
Category

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Materials

Porcelain

Two Mid-20 Century Thai or Burmese Carved and Painted Figures of Buddhist Monks
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
16 inches tall these two Thai or Burmese young monks are carved in wood and painted One monk is sitting in a praying position, the other with a relaxed but still devoted posture. The...
Category

Mid-20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paint

Set of Two Large Silvered Cast Metal Candle Stands Asian Dragons Sculptures
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Tall silvered cast metal candle or incense stands with the upper bobeche resting on up curving tails and another bobeche resting on the dragons' heads with lotus base. Natural blemi...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Brass

Carved Chinese White Jade w/Bronze Collar & Lapis Lazuli Base Paperweight, c1860
Located in Big Flats, NY
Rare antique Chinese paperweight featuring carved white jade Mandarin Duck (the Asian symbol of love and marriage), cradled in a pierced bronze collar with stylized lotus, atop Europ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Jade, Lapis Lazuli, Bronze

Antique Tibetan Buddha Manjushri Vermilion Oversized Carved Wood Statue, c1860
Located in Big Flats, NY
Tibetan 19th century oversized carved wood recumbent Manjushri Buddha features jeweled red wash vermilion finish with mother-of-pearl inlay, circa 1860.
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Late 19th Century Tibetan Antique Chinoiserie Sculptures and Carvings

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Wood

Chinoiserie sculptures and carvings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinoiserie sculptures and carvings for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage sculptures and carvings created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture, decorative objects, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinoiserie sculptures and carvings made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and China pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original sculptures and carvings, popular names associated with this style include Austin Productions, Meissen Porcelain, and Karl Springer. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for sculptures and carvings differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $75 and tops out at $27,960 while the average work can sell for $1,400.

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