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.
2 Rare Chinese Marble Foo Dog Guardian Fu Lion Temple Garden Statues 41"
Located in Dayton, OH
Two monumental antique Chinese Foo Dogs, circa mid 20th century. Made of white marble featuring meticulously carved detail. Each Guardian is set over a large plinth base with invert...
Marble
Lucky Chinoiserie Green Ceramic Glazed Elephant Garden Statue - South East Asia
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Beautiful green, blue and white ceramic elephant garden statue. This piece features an elephant shown with the trunk up. This piece would be beautiful in a garden, or on a bookshelf....
Ceramic, Paint
Vintage Chinese Foo Dog Solid Brass Figural Bookend
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinese Foo Dog Solid Brass Figural Bookend. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 6" H x 3.5" W x 3" D.
Brass
Lucky Chinoiserie Blue and White Ceramic Elephant Plant Stand or Garden Statue
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Beautiful blue and white ceramic elephant plant stand or garden statue. This piece features an elephant shown with the trunk up. (In South...
Ceramic, Paint
Mid-Century Modern Chinoiserie Ceramic Emerald Green Elephant Ashtray
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A green and yellow ceramic elephant ashtray or catchall. Reminiscent of the ever-popular chinoiserie elephant garden stool, this tall ashtray features...
Ceramic, Paint
Pair of Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Painted Cast Stone Foo Dog Garden Statues
Located in Elkhart, IN
A wonderfully weathered pair of antique cast stone foo dogs, retaining their original red painted finish with beautifully aged surface wear that speaks to decades of outdoor display....
Cast Stone
1970s Vintage Large Asian Cast Cement Stacked Pagoda
Located in Charleston, SC
Fabulous vintage cast cement pagoda. Beautiful patina from time on this stunning outdoor sculpture. Fantastic bamboo shoots and leaves on the top portion with a lotus for the finial....
Cement
$1,242Sale Price / set|65% Off
H 12 in W 12 in D 6 in
Pair of Stone Foo Dogs Candle Holder Garden Statues
Located in Somis, CA
A pair of magnificent stone foo dogs, meticulously hand-carved from solid stone. Their muscular forms, wide eyes, and open mouths while adorable convey ...
Stone
Pair of Early 20th Century French Garden Statues
Located in Houston, TX
A lovely pair of 20th century concrete garden figures from France. He is perched next to an oak stump with foliage and acorns in hand. She carries two floral...
Concrete
Bronze Elephant Statue Garden Animal Casting Nelly
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Gorgeous bronze casting of an elephant Good size almost three feet head to trunk - 86 CM Looks like a baby elephant, a welcome addition to our bronze zoo Patina to the bronze is supe...
Bronze
$2,600Sale Price / set|38% Off
H 17 in W 17 in D 8 in
Pair of Vintage Elephant Garden Planters Pots Stands Italian Lattice Palm Beach
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
The most wonderful pair of old Italian elephant garden plant stands. I believe these are some sort of terra cotta with a glaze on top, they are heavy! The details are amazing from th...
Terracotta
Early 20th Century French Hand-Cast Stone Poodle Garden Sculpture
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
3-846 French hand cast garden poodle sculpture with glass eyes.
Cast Stone
Vintage Asian Chinoiserie Figural Planter
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Capture the timeless elegance of the blue and white porcelain tradition with this striking vintage Chinoiserie planter. A masterful example of late 20th-century ceramic artistry, thi...
Porcelain
Dennis Kirchmann Ceramic Pedestal or Plant Stand with Floral Motif
By Dennis Kirchmann
Located in Chicago, IL
This two-piece floral ceramic piece by Indiana artist Dennis Kirchmann is convertible. It can be used as a pedestal with a small amount of storage with ...
Ceramic
Pair of Antique Chinese Carved Wood Foo Dog Statues
Located in London, GB
A large and extremely impressive pair of antique Chinese carved wood foo dog statues. They date from the 19th century and are genuine antiques, not to be confused with the many contr...
Wood
$620
H 17 in W 18.75 in D 8.75 in
Hollywood Regency Chinese Ceramic Colored Elephant Garden Plant Stand or Seat
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Mid-20th Century Glazed Ceramic Elephant Garden Stool or Side Table, Germany A charming mid-20th century glazed ceramic elephant stool, handcrafted and richly detailed. Designed to ...
Ceramic
Antique English Garden Statue or Fountain with a Great Patina
Located in Highwood, IL
Antique English Garden Statue or Garden Fountain since it does have a metal tube running through the statue from top to bottom. Our Antique Garden Fountain...
Stone
$409
H 1.97 in W 4.93 in D 4.14 in
Murano Green Glass Ashtray by Flavio Poli, Mid-Century Modern, Italy
By Flavio Poli
Located in Basildon, GB
1960/70's Murano Green Glass Ashtray in the style of Flavio Poli, reflects a blue tint around rim, weight approx 600grams
Murano Glass
Bronze Statue of Liberty Statue Garden Casting 8 Ft
Located in Potters Bar, GB
A striking large sculpture of the Statue of Liberty, cast in metal with a verdigris patinated finish, capturing the iconic form of the famous New York monument Good size at eight fee...
Bronze
Pair of monumental bronze Foo Dogs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Monumental pair of opposing bronze foo dogs or guardian lions… This is a male and female pair. The male has his paw on top of the globe, and the female has her paw on top of their pu...
Bronze
Pair of Vintage Chinese White Stone Foo Dog Statues
Located in Elkhart, IN
A charming pair of late 20th-century Chinese foo dog statues carved or cast in white stone, each modeled in the traditional guardian-lion form with expressive faces, curled manes, an...
Cast Stone
Large Vintage Ceramic Elephant Garden Stool or Table in Green and Cream
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A large ceramic elephant garden stool or plant stand. Created from ceramic, this chinoiserie elephant is glazed in pretty greens, yellows, blues...
Ceramic
Chinoiserie Ceramic Lucky Elephant Plant Stand in Green and Cream
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A small chinoiserie ceramic lion garden statue or plant stand. A wonderful way to add a touch of In South East Asian decor to a space. (Fun Fact: Ele...
Ceramic, Paint
Vintage Lucky Chinoiserie Green Ceramic Foo Dogs or Lions, a Pair
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A pair of verdigris green ceramic foo dogs. This pair will be fabulous on a patio, bookshelf, or in a garden. In excellent condition, each statue depicts a green chinoiserie foo dog ...
Ceramic, Paint
Ceramic Elephant Garden Stool Side Tables with Round Glass Tops - A Pair
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A set of two ceramic elephant garden stool side tables with glass tops. This ceramic Hollywood Regency set is glazed in a creamy white with brown accents. Each elephant can be used a...
Ceramic, Paint
Sold
H 21.25 in W 19.5 in D 9.5 in
Huge Chinoiserie Blue and White Ceramic Elephant Plant Stand or Garden Stool
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A rich blue, cream, green and pink ceramic elephant garden stool. This piece is tall and features an elephant shown with the trunk down and cre...
Ceramic, Paint
Buddha
Located in New York, NY
A substantial dark red burgundy resin sitting Buddha statue decorative object, circa late-20th century. This Buddha is relatively large wearing a...
Resin
Large Ceramic Blanc de Chine Figure of a Chinese Musician on Pedestal
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This imposing ceramic figure of a seated Chinese musician on pedestal is made in three pieces, and is in excellent condition.
Ceramic
Sold
H 52 in W 18 in D 18 in
Epic Thai Patinated Terracotta Buddha Head with Elongated Face, 20th Century
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Standing 52 inches tall this Buddha will look very impressive both outdoors and indoors environment. It likely dates to the late 20th century and is created for decorative purposes. ...
Terracotta
Vintage Cobalt Blue Glazed Elephant Garden Stool Stand
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
The color on this beautiful cobalt blue glazed elephant garden stand stool is incredible! No chips or breaks.
Ceramic
Pair of Terracotta Chinoiserie Figures on Ceramic Columns
Located in Miami, FL
Very decorative large pair of terracotta sculptures .Male and female children seating on white and craquelé ceramic columns. One holding ...
Terracotta