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.
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
1720s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Glass
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl
1970s Hong Kong Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Plywood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century European Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Korean Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Stone
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Oak
1930s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Metal, Enamel
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Terracotta
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Elm
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
1720s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Lacquer
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Metal
1720s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
1720s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Pottery
1880s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Walnut
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Copper
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Marble, Soapstone
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Earthenware
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Bone, Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Stone, Jade
Early 1800s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Silk
Late 19th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Bronze
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Steel
1860s French Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Marble
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Carnelian, Jade, Quartz
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Rosewood
19th Century Burmese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood, Glass, Mirror, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Textile
1880s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Oak
Early 1900s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Earthenware
18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Earthenware
20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Earthenware
Mid-20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Silk
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Bronze
18th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Silk
Early 20th Century Vietnamese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic