Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
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.
1960s Burmese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Paint, Paper
1990s Philippine Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Brass
1990s Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Hardwood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century British Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Wood
20th Century French Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Enamel
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Bone, Wood, Lacquer
1860s English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Tin
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Brass
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Wood
1890s Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Copper
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Metal
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Wood
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Fabric, Wood, Lacquer
1930s Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Ceramic
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Bamboo
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Silver
Early 20th Century European Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Soapstone
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Ceramic, Paint
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Ceramic, Paint
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Brass, Enamel
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Metal
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Lacquer
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Bronze
Early 2000s American Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Wood
Early 19th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Lacquer
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Bronze, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Wood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Glass
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Wood
1950s Dutch Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Ceramic, Earthenware, Faience
19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Lacquer
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Other
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Brass
20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Composition
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Metal
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Sterling Silver
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Bone, Wood, Lacquer
18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Cherry
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Brass
1850s Austrian Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Enamel, Silver
Early 20th Century Korean Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Bentwood
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Bone, Wood, Lacquer, Paint
20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Metal, Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Brass
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Leather
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Metal
Mid-19th Century American Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Tin
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Lacquer
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Satinwood
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Brass, Enamel
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Brass, Enamel
19th Century Korean Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Rattan
20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Wicker