Chinoiserie Asian Art and 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.
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood, Padouk
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Stoneware, Paint
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Lacquer
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Enamel
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Paper
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Jade
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Lacquer
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Jade
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Gold Leaf
1960s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
Late 18th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
Early 20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Silver Plate
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Brass
1970s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Fabric, Paper
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Silk
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Brass
1970s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Hardwood
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Metal
20th Century Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Stone
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Cast Stone, Metal
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Lacquer
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Paper
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Gold Leaf
1950s French Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Stone
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Jade
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Brass
20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan, Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Lacquer
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
1990s Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Jade
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Crystal
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Agate, Jade
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Rosewood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Clay, Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century American Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Silver Leaf
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Silk, Paint, Paper
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Silk, Giltwood