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Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

CHINOISERIE STYLE

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.

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Style: Chinoiserie
Chinese Cloisonne Enamel Bird Boxes, Pair
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Chinese Cloisonne Enamel Bird Form Boxes with Gilt Metal, on fitted carved, pierced, and ebonized wood stands. Each overall: 6.75" H x 6" W x 4" D.
Category

20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

19th Century Chinoiserie Lacquer Sewing Box
Located in Toronto, CA
This is a remarkable 19th century lacquered sewing box with multiple compartments on the interior. The exterior is decorated in elaborate black and gilded motifs including flowers, f...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bone, Wood, Lacquer

Tiffany Le Tallec Cirque Chinois Porcelain Box
Located in Atlanta, GA
Atelier Le Tallec For Tiffany & Company, 20th century. One of the most collectible patterns, these boxes do not come available often. Marked to bottom.
Category

20th Century French Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Enamel

19th Century French Papier Mache Black, Red, and Gold Chinoiserie Box
Located in Richmond, VA
Offered is an excellent example of 19th century French papier mâché in the form of a square box, decorated with gold and red Chinoiserie scenes on black lacquer. While Eastern in des...
Category

19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood, Paper

19th Century French Papier Mache Black, Red, and Gold Chinoiserie Box
Located in Richmond, VA
Offered is an excellent example of 19th century French papier mâché in the form of a square box, decorated with gold and red Chinoiserie scenes on black lacquer. While Eastern in des...
Category

19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood, Paper

Vintage Heart Shaped Chinoiserie Box
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Heart Shaped Chinoiserie Jewelry Box. A beautiful hand made heart shaped box with Chinoiserie hand painted decoration of butterfly's and nectar ...
Category

1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood, Lacquer, Paper

English Regency Oriental Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Chest Jewelry Box
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This English Regency-era jewelry box embodies Oriental aesthetics with its sleek sarcophagus shape, tapered body, and angled lid. Adorning the lid are intricate Chinoiserie scenes depicted through penwork on each faceted panel. Opening the box reveals a luxurious red lining within. An exquisite Chinese black lacquer chinoiserie box...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood, Paper

Vintage MCM Small Brass Chinoiserie Trinket Box
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful MCM small brass lidded coffret style trinket box with chinoserie detail. The box depicts engraved scenes with a main motif of a sea ship on the upper lid and other scenes ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Set of 2 Porcelain Yuan Pots, Grey White, Handmolded & Handpainted
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set/2 Yuan Porcelain Pots, Lusitanus Home Collection by Legend of Asia. Real chinese porcelain waterproof pots with lids in white and grey, produced by...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Set of 2 Porcelain Zong Vases, Blue and White, Handmolded & Handpainted
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set/2 Zong Porcelain Vases, Lusitanus Home Collection by Legend of Asia. Real chinese porcelain waterproof vases in white and dark blue, produced by hand with traditional methods. T...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

4 Panels of a Wooden Box with Mother of Pearl Inlay, Chinese Scenes.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
4 Panels of a Wooden Box with Mother of Pearl Inlay, Chinese Scenes, 19th Century. 4 panels of a wooden box with mother-of-pearl inlays depicting Chinese scenes, Asian Art, 19th cen...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Audubon by TIFFANY & Co Limoges Porcelain Vanity Trinket Box Chinoiserie Decor
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Audubon by TIFFANY & Co Limoges Porcelain Vanity Round Jar. Highly collectible Audubon by Tiffany, Chinese Pavilion produced in France by Limoges. Tiffany & Co Audubon Limoges France Porcelain trinket box decorated in the Audubon Chinoiserie pattern. A lovely vintage porcelain vintage Limoges trinket jewelry box hand painted with colorful red and blue birds sitting in a tree, with a pagoda style gold bird cage decorated with gold trim. Grab this one of a kind decorative collectible trinket box designed by Tiffany & Co and made by Limoges France to set upon your dresser, nightstand, coffee table, or shelves. Whatever you do with this cute but luxurious box, put it in eyes view, because it will never fail to make you smile. Set upon your fine china cabinet and create a luxurious pairing with other fine Hermes...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Japanese Gilt-Metal Mounted, Black & Gold Lacquer Karabitsu Boxes
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Pair of Japanese Gilt-Metal Mounted, Black & Gold Lacquer Karabitsu Boxes
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Giltwood, Lacquer

Chinese 19th Century Burlwood Box
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a quietly impressive Chinese mid-to-late 19th century table or writing box. The box is of metal-mounted burl wood construction in the Ming style, but dating later. The box fe...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Chinoiserie Papier Mache Box, circa 1920
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Chinoiserie Papier Mache Box, circa 1920, a rectangular jewelry or work box with hinged pagoda lid, decorated with an embossed phoenix and c...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Other

Green Cloisonné Enamel and Brass Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
An enamel cloisonné and brass jewelry box with cherry blossom design, circa late-20th century. Box is great for jewelry or small items on a vanity, desk, nightstand table, etc. Colors include green, light green, gold, brass yellow, pink, red burgundy, and black. Very Good condition as shown in images. Box measures: 2" Height x 3" Depth x 4.75" Width. Also available: Black acrylic table...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Chinese Export Cloisonné Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Lovely Chinese export cloisonné box made of brass and enameled with a beautiful floral pattern resting on ball feet. This decorative box was most likely a cigarette box or trinket bo...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass, Enamel

A 1930's French Gilt Lacquered Wood Pagoda Form Chinoiserie Platinum Painted Box
Located in New York, NY
A 1930's French Gilt Lacquered Wood Pagoda Form Chinoiserie Platinum Painted Box, Attributed to Jansen. At first glance, the box's visual allure is simply breathtaking. Adorned with ...
Category

1930s Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Vintage French Chinoiserie Lacquer Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Vintage French Chinoiserie Lacquer Box, with gold decoration. This type of box would have held cigarettes or trinkets. Stamped "Made in Fra...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

Chinoiserie Famille Rose Decorative Box with Birds Flora and Fauna
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful vintage decorated Famille Rose ceramic decorative box, Chinese Export/Chinoiserie style, circa mid-20th century. Box and lid are beautiful decorated with figures and bird...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

English Early 19th Century Penwork Box with Chinoiserie Decoration
Located in Atlanta, GA
English Early 19th Century Penwork Box with Chinoiserie Decoration
Category

19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Japanese Porcelain Vintage Trinket Lidded Boxes Set of Three
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Japanese porcelain vintage trinket boxes with lid, set of 3. Vintage Asian porcelain Japanese trinket boxes with Geishas figures wearing traditional kimonos. Japanese porcelain decorative box, each box with a different design, perfect for storing small items or use them as decorative boxes on a table or shelf. Asian Trinket Box...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Cloissone Box with Carved Jade Plaque, circa 1900
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A diminutive Antique Chinese Cloisonné box with jade medallion line with wood. The enameled outside in shades of blue with gold color wir...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Jade, Enamel

Chinoiserie Wooden and Brass Jewelry Chest
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Exceptional vintage chinoiserie wooden jewelry chest. Features a green felt interior with brass accents and handles.
Category

1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Chinoiserie Gilt Bronze Champlevé Enamel Casket Box
Located in New York, NY
Unusual and Ornate Gilt Bronze Champlevé Enamel Lidded Casket. After a bamboo box, this champlevé box contains five enameled faces with gilt bronze bamb...
Category

19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Chinese Export Cloisonné Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Lovely Chinese export cloisonné box made of brass and enameled with a beautiful mountain scene decoration in vibrant yellow color resting on ball feet. This chinoiserie box is marked...
Category

1910s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Ealy 19th Century Chinese Export Lacquer Sewing Box
Located in Dallas, TX
Ealy 19th Century chinese export lacquer sewing box, octagonal shape with feet, black lacquer with gilt decoration, worn on top.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

19th Century Chinoiserie Sewing Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great condition for its age. No major losses or damage. Has original sewing pieces inside.
Category

Mid-19th Century Afghan Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bone, Wood, Lacquer, Paint

Antique Chinoiserie Blue Staffordshire Porcelain Box
Located in London, GB
A charming mottled-blue glazed Crown Staffordshire porcelain box in the chinoiserie style England, circa 1900–1920. Why we like it The deep, mottled ‘powder blue’ colour of this...
Category

Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Small Antique Apprentice Chest, English, Camphorwood, Storage Box, circa 1920
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small antique apprentice chest. An English, camphorwood sample storage box, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1920. Superb craftsmanship in miniature from the hand...
Category

Early 20th Century British Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

19th Century Chinoiserie Sewing Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nice condition for its age. Does not have key. Has original sewing box utensils inside - spools, etc.
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bone, Wood, Lacquer

Vintage Carved Keepsake Case, Chinese, Satinwood, Decorative Box, Circa 1950
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage carved keepsake case. A Chinese, satinwood decorative box, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1950. Profusely carved throughout with an abundance of Oriental cr...
Category

1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Satinwood

Small Vintage Chinese Enamel Box
Located in Seguin, TX
Small vintage brass stamp box with enamel decoration. Marked China on bottom and sloped interior bottom. Overall patina with a few tiny dings t...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Carved Wood Chinese Box, with Landscape and Characters Decor Pattern, China 20th
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This box is in a brown color. It has been made in the 20th century, in China. It is hand carved, with character and landscapes, patterns.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Chinoiserie Blue and White Divided Ceramic Decorative Box with Lid
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
An exquisite long ceramic divided box with a lid. Decorated in a blue and white glaze, this long rectangular box features a divided interior. The exterior is glazed in blue and white...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

2 Antique Chinese Red & Black Lacquer Bamboo Rattan Nested Picnic Wedding Basket
Located in Dayton, OH
An impressive pair of antique Chinese two tiered hexagon shaped wedding basket or box. Made of lacquered bamboo and rattan. Hand painted in red and black with green accents. Written cursive script translates to poems about "picking mulberry leaves" and "the dangerous and difficult road when traveling through mountains". Also mentioned "Bailu" (15th solar term in the traditional Chinese calendars, around September), "Huangmei" (rainy season, in the Middle And Lower Reaches Of The Yangtze River), which could indicate this basket is probably made in the region near middle or lower part of Yangtze river. The orange marks on bottom ??/?? both translate to Wu Dui, who we assume was the artist / maker. Festive red stacking lacquer boxes are used for carrying food during the wedding procession of the bride. Usually there are two sets of boxes to balance each on the end of the pole. The top box serves as a lid for the bottom box and has a lid of its own. All are beautifully painted in red for good luck. The tradition of Chinese wedding boxes...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan, Lacquer

Chinese Handmade & Drawn Cloisonne Enamel Intricate Flowers Brush Pots, Set 11
Located in Bastogne, BE
New Chinese Handmade & Drawn Cloisonne Enamel Intricate Flowers Brush Pot from 1970s. They would be beautiful on your vanity holding makeup brushes, on your desk for pens or for y...
Category

1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Chinoiserie Decorated Wig Box
Located in Newport Beach, CA
A hand carved, hand painted and lacquered, hinged wig box with classic Chinese red painted interior. Incised brass knob and lock.
Category

19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood, Lacquer, Paint

Antique Victorian circa 1880 Chinese Chinoiserie Lacquered Sewing Table Work Box
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely circa 1880 hand made Chinese Chinoiserie work / sewing table with silk lining. A very good looking and wel...
Category

1880s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Chinese Export Filigree Silver Gilt Card Case
Located in East Geelong, VIC
This Chinese filigree silver gilt card case with a lift off lid measures 88 mm (3.5 inches) in height, 56 mm (2.25 inches) in width and has a t...
Category

1870s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Silver

Oriental Carved Camphor Wood Chest
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Oriental carved camphor wood chest This Beautiful Carved Chest is made from Camphor Wood, for those of you who do not know campho...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Antique Chinese Lacquer Table Box 1920's
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Beautiful iron red lacquer Chinese table box. The red background with gilt decoration with carved bone inlay on the top. 9.5 inches square, T...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bone, Wood, Lacquer

Mother Of Pearl Game Pieces in Wooden Box in Chinese Style
Located in Greven, DE
Numerous finely engraved mother-of-pearl game pieces in a wooden box in Chinese style. The game pieces are in three different shapes - oval, round and rectangular. The engravings sho...
Category

20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Wood Lidded Box, Hand-Painted and Lacquered, Japanese, Early 20Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This box is a japanese box, early 20th century, in a red laquer, representing a bird and a flower. This has been made in Japan.
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Decorative Ceramic Chinoiserie Box with Lid and Pink and Blue Floral Motif
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A small Chinoiserie ceramic decorative box with a lid. Rectangular in shape, this box features a hand-painted floral motif on the top of the lid as w...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Chinoiserie Heart Shaped Box
Located in New York, NY
Heart Shaped Chinoiserie Papier-mâché Lacquer Box. Beautifully painted decorated box with gilt painting on black lacquer. This is wonderful colle...
Category

1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Paste, Lacquer, Paper

Collectible Coca-Cola Special Edition Asian Chinese Bottles, a Set of 5
Located in Plainview, NY
A custom made special edition Coca-Cola set of 5 miniature glass bottles. Each bottle is handprinted to portray traditional Chinese emblems such...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Glass

19th Century Hat Box
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a unusual example of a 19th century hat box in Fine Chinese coromandel lacquer. The hat box retains its original butterfly shaped chased brass lock plate. The lacquer feature...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Large Oval Ceramic Polychrome Hen Tureen in Green Pink Red and Yellow with Lid
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A monumental size ceramic hen tureen in green, red, yellow, pink, and blue. This beautiful chinoiserie decorative bird tureen will be a beautiful addition ...
Category

20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Lacquered Wood Toilet Box, Japan, 19th Century
Located in Lisboa, PT
Lacquered wood toilet box - Japan, 19th century.
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

Luscious Leather Embossed Hand-Painted Chinoiserie Box
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Wonderful Chinese box in red, gold and black having a Chinoiserie painted design on embossed leather with original brass hardware. There's a removable metal liner and the interior is...
Category

1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Leather

Early 19th Century Chinese Lacquer Box
Located in Pasadena, CA
This charming 19th century Chinese lacquer sewing box has seen many hands and much love having developed a deep natural patina over its 20...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Chinoiserie Sterling Silver Dressing Table Set, James II Style, London, 1926
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1926 by D. & J. Wellby, this striking, sterling silver dressing table set, is presented in its original box,...
Category

1920s English Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Sterling Silver

Chinese Mid Century Polychrome Lacquered Chest on Stand Box Trunk Side Table
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid century keepsake box, chest or side table on stand. White Lacquer with low relief painted bird motif and brass hardware. Made in Hong Kong. Measure: 23".  
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Small Oval Chinoiserie Painted Ceramic and Metal Trinket Box with Mirror Lid
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Bring a little chinoiserie to a vanity, side table, or coffee table. This pretty oval box is created from metal and has a hand painted and glazed ceramic top. The metal surrounds the...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

Antique Hand-Carved Chestnut Box in Asian Bamboo Style Inlaid with Soapstone
Located in Lisse, NL
Exclusive & fine quality hand-crafted Chinoiserie box. The diversity in techniques and materials used by craftsman around the world and over the last centuries never seizes to a...
Category

Early 20th Century European Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Soapstone

Antique Chinese Champlevé Enamel Scarab Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
Finely detailed champlevé scarab shape box with gilt wash interior. Traces of antique mirror on inner top. Rich colors of blue, turquoise purple finely enameled all around box.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Wicker Capybara Animal
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chinese wicker capybara box from the Shanghai collection with carved wood highlights and removable lid.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wicker

Chinoiserie decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinoiserie decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage decorative boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, asian art and furniture, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinoiserie decorative boxes made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and China pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative boxes, popular names associated with this style include Daniel & John Welby, Henry Troemner, Limoges, and Maitland Smith. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for decorative boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $189 and tops out at $22,500 while the average work can sell for $808.

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