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.
1880s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Silk
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Silk, Giltwood
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wool
19th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Earthenware
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Elm
Early 20th Century Tibetan Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
1960s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
1890s Asian Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Silk
1890s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Enamel
1950s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Metal, Bronze
1780s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Jade
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Jade
1880s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Satin
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Bamboo
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
1880s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Silk
19th Century Nepalese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood, Glass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
1720s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Teak
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Soapstone
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
15th Century and Earlier Hong Kong Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Stoneware
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Composition
20th Century American Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Stone
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Terracotta
1880s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Silk
Early 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Lacquer, Giltwood, Parchment Paper
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Bronze
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Soapstone
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Copper, Enamel
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
20th Century American Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Stone
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Marble, Brass
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
2010s Asian Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Metal
1720s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
1720s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain