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.
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Metal, Brass
Early 20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Jade
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
Late 18th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood, Padouk
19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Paper
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Hardwood
1950s French Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Stone
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Paper
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Enamel
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Agate, Soapstone
1860s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
20th Century Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Brass
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Jade
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood, Paint, Paper
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Bamboo
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Gold Leaf
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Silk, Paint, Paper
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
1910s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Bone, Hardwood, Boxwood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Cast Stone, Metal
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wool
1970s Hong Kong Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Plywood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Terracotta
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Elm
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Lacquer
1960s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Stoneware, Paint
19th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Lacquer
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Brass
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Stoneware
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Canvas
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood, Paper
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Jade
1970s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Fabric, Paper
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
19th Century Burmese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood, Glass, Mirror, Giltwood
20th Century American Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Metal