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.
20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Metal
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Bone, Wood, Lacquer
20th Century French Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Enamel
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Wood, Paper
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Wood, Paper
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Wood, Lacquer, Paper
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Wood, Paper
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Porcelain
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Giltwood, Lacquer
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Other
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Brass, Enamel
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Brass, Enamel
1930s Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Ceramic
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Wood
1980s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Porcelain
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Jade, Enamel
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Brass
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Bronze, Enamel
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Brass, Enamel
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Lacquer
Mid-19th Century Afghan Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Bone, Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Porcelain
Early 20th Century British Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Wood
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Bone, Wood, Lacquer
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Satinwood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Brass, Enamel
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Ceramic, Paint
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Bamboo, Rattan, Lacquer
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Metal, Enamel
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
1880s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Wood
1870s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Silver
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Wood
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Bone, Wood, Lacquer
20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Ceramic, Paint
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Paste, Lacquer, Paper
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Glass
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Brass
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Ceramic, Paint
19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Lacquer
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Leather
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Brass
1920s English Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Metal
Early 20th Century European Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Soapstone
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Bronze
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Boxes
Wicker