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 Cast Stone Architectural Panels, a Pair
Located in Morristown, NJ
20th C., cast stone panels with attractive patina. The panels could be used outdoors or for interior decoration. The back side of the panels have metal wall mounts. Dimensions: 6...
Cast Stone, Metal
$550Sale Price / set|54% Off
Pair of Asian Solid Brass Goddess Door Pulls A
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of solid brass Asian goddess door knobs. No makers mark. Mounting hardware not included.
Brass
Vintage Chinoiserie Oriental Black Lacquer & Gold Greek Key 77" Window Valance
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Custom Made Chinoiserie Oriental Black Lacquer & Gold Greek Key 77" Wind...
Wood
Good Quality Art Deco 'Chinoiserie' Painted Timber Fireplace
Located in London, GB
A good quality Art Deco 'Chinoiserie' painted timber fireplace. The stepped frieze and jambs adorned with finely painted Chinese landscapes including ...
Wood
Painted Timber Fireplace with Eastern Influence
Located in London, GB
An architectural timber fireplace with Eastern influence. The jambs and frieze with Chinese symbols throughout, the plinths and centre block with matc...
Wood
Tête de Bouddha en pierre reconstituée montée sur un socle en acier peint
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Tête de Bouddha en pierre reconstituée montée sur un socle moderne en acier peint en noir symbolisant la paix intérieure, la sérénité et l'éveil spirituel.
Stone, Metal
Chinese Red and Cold Lacquered Cornice
Located in Queens, NY
Asian Chinese (19th Century) red and gold lacquered cornice (valence) with dragon carving.
Wood
Antique Chinoiserie Faience Tuile Faîtière, Hand-Painted, Circa 1900
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Paire de tuiles faîtières chinoises polychrome en faillance vernie. Ces deux éléments architecturaux représentant un poisson cabré couvraient et protégeaient le faîte du toit. Les co...
Faience
Pair of Hammered Aluminum Door Pulls x2
Located in Hanover, MA
Paif of vintage Italian hammered aluminum door pulls. New Old Stock. We have two pairs available. Priced per pair (left and right).
Aluminum
$850
H 12 in W 63.5 in D 2 in
19th Century Asian Architectural Transom Panel with Pierced Carved Foliage
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century Asian Architectural transom panel with pierced carved foliage.
Wood
1970s Greek Key Drawer Cabinet Pulls Patinated Brass
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Midcentury Hardware Greek Grecian Key Brass Pulls mounting 2.25 spread. No screws. Set of two .75 d x 5 long x 2 d Preowned original vintage ...
Brass
Elegant Italian Fireplace Mantel
Located in Haarlem, Noord-Holland
Lovely elegant 18th century fireplace mantel in Carrara white marble. This Italian beauty with its beautifully shaped jambs with scroll to top was originally build into the wall. ...
Carrara Marble
$5,354
H 39.77 in W 25.6 in D 1.58 in
Ceramic Wall Panel by Pierre Digan, to La Borne, circa 1970-1975
By Pierre Digan
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A ceramic wall panel by Pierre Digan, to La Borne, circa 1970-1975. The base is in wood. Very good original conditions.
Ceramic
Antique Victorian Style Painted Timber Fireplace Mantel
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
This fire surround was salvaged from a house in South East London. Additional dimensions: Opening height 104 cm Opening width 117.5 cm.
Gesso, Walnut
Antique Marble Fireplace
Located in Made, NL
Elegant mantelpiece made of warm Rouge Royal marble in the style of Louis XV from the 19th century! This charming and graceful mantelpiece has a beautiful scallop in the center and b...
Marble
Old Fireplace Mantel
Located in Made, NL
Elegant mantelpiece of French limestone from the 19th century! This antique mantelpiece has beautiful lines and ornaments and is calm in appearance! A fireplace with a warm appearanc...
Limestone
$499 / set
H 8.67 in W 3.94 in D 2.37 in
Solid Brass Door Pull, Organic Modern Design, Handcrafted in Morocco
Located in Marrakech, MA
Organic door pull with crescent-inspired design: This door pull from the Open Manifest collection is defined by a soft, asymmetrical silhouette inspired by the curve of a crescent m...
Brass
Leather Handle And Burnished Brass Cabinet Door Pulls
By Brett Paulin
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Our leather and brass cabinet door pulls are entirely crafted by hand. Measuring four inches by three inches, the twenty gauge brass plate is ...
Brass
Two Italian Brass Door Pulls
Located in Hanover, MA
Two 1960's Italian door pulls in solid brass in the form of stylised wings or feathers. New Old Stock. NOTE: Both are RIGHT hand orientation unless one is inverted; these are not a ...
Brass
Pair of 1930's Italian Brass Door Pulls
Located in Hanover, MA
Pair of charming Italian art deco polished brass door pulls
Brass
Large Asian Round Chinoiserie Solid Brass Decorative Cabinet Hardware
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Large round solid brass decorative cabinet or door hardware. Created from a shiny golden brass, this lucky chinoiserie architectural element wil...
Brass
19th Century Decorative Painted Red Lacquer Opium Bed Panels
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th century decorative painted red lacquer opium bed panels This is a very attractive trio of mid 19th century painted panels, they h...
Lacquer
Pair of Asian Solid Brass Goddess Door Pulls B
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of solid brass Asian goddess door knobs. No makers mark. Mounting hardware not included.
Brass
Brass Faux Bamboo Door Handle
Located in Stamford, CT
Single cast brass faux bamboo door handles. Right facing door handle. Faux bamboo handle is 4” wide. Backplate is 6” tall x 2” wide x 2” deep. Inst...
Brass
Vintage Asian Drop Ceiling Panels Hand Painted Embossed, Set of 18
Located in Topeka, KS
Gorgeous set of 18 vintage Asian drop ceiling panels. They are 2 x 2 ft. lauan wood squares, ¼ inch thick. 16 yellow with dragon design and 2 white with dragon and symbol design, hand painted and gilded, in beautiful condition with wear as you would expect with vintage pieces. All panels have varying degrees of wear including nicks, dings, scratches, and chips – we call it patina – they are by no means perfect but are beautiful. Please see photos, Circa, 20th century. Don’t ever let anyone turn your sky into a ceiling…-live life happy…. UNLESS it’s covered in oriental bliss with these awesome vintage Asian drop ceiling panels!!! There are eighteen of these lauan wood drop ceiling squares. Sixteen have a yellowish frame or background and two are off-white. They are all hand painted and gilded, possibly from a pattern or mold, and embossed with bright colors of gold, red, green, and yellow with designs of dragons, oriental symbols, and flowers…they are breathtaking!! And, oh my goodness, the possibilities!!!! Obviously, they would be perfect for a drop ceiling in an oriental restaurant or nail salon...
Wood
Sold
H 8 in W 6.5 in D 2.75 in
Large Antique Gold Iron Chinoiserie Dragon Foo Dog Door Knocker or Cabinet Pull
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A large (and quite heavy) door knocker shaped as a Chinese dragon or foo dog. The face of a dragon is central on this piece. His teeth firmly grip a large round ring...
Iron
Pair of Brass Faux Bamboo Door Handles
Located in Stamford, CT
Set of two cast brass faux bamboo door handles. One left facing and one right facing. Faux bamboo handle is 4” wide. Each backplate is 6” tall x 2”...
Brass
Pair of Etched Brass Chinoiserie Hardware
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of large mid-century chinoiserie metal door hardware. Acid etched brass backplate with all over chinoiserie design. Pagoda style center knob is 3” ta...
Metal
Silver Chinoiserie Pagoda Architectural Accent or Bed Corona
Located in Stamford, CT
Silver painted chinoiserie pagoda accent. Could be used as a bed corona with additional mounting brackets (not included).
Wood