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 Hong Kong Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
1950s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Metal
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Metal
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Metal, Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
1880s German Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Iron, Nickel
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Brass
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Rosewood
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Silk, Wood
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
1690s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Metallic Thread
20th Century European Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood, Paper
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wool
1980s Philippine Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood, Paint
20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Textile, Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Fruitwood
1960s Cambodian Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Gold Leaf
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Jade
Late 20th Century Taiwanese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood, Paint, Paper
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain, Rosewood
1690s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood, Paint
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Metal
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Paper
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Copper
1890s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Teak, Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic, Pottery
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Jade
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood, Paper
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
20th Century American Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Stone
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Silk
1690s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Indonesian Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Wood, Paint
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Silver
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Stone
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Elm