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.
$360Sale Price|20% Off
Japanese Camphorwood Brass Okinawa Pagoda Jewelry Chest Box 17"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Japanese chinoiserie jewelry treasure chest. Made of Camphor Wood featuring a carved cityscape with Pagoda and etched brass hardware. The box interior features a mirror and ...
Hardwood
Old Chinese Jewelry Box Jewelry Box Jade Brass
Located in Poperinge, BE
Old Chinese wooden jewelry box with brass fittings and a jade plaque centrally placed on the lid, inside a pink/fuchsia lining with gold floral decoration, second half of the 20th ce...
Jade, Brass
Vintage Chinoiserie Jewelry Box, Wood with Jade Inlay and Brass Decor
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage Chinese jewelry box features solid wood body with finger joint corners, carved inlay on the lid, and brass applique decor on the corners and around the inlay. The box is equi...
Stone, Jade, Brass
$544Sale Price|20% Off
Large Chinese Rosewood Jewelry Box with Ornate Solid Brass Fittings
Located in Fort Washington, MD
Here is nice large Chinese rosewood jewelry box with ornate solid brass fitting with a round longevity symbol carved in the middle and light peach felt lining inside. Comes with lock...
Rosewood
Antique French Gilt Brass Cloisonne Chinoiserie Champleve Jewelry Box Casket
Located in Portland, OR
A fine antique 19th century French Chinoiserie gilt brass, Cloisonné and Champlevé jewelry box, with a rock crystal top, circa 1880. This exquisite box with a thick chamfered hinged...
Rock Crystal, Enamel, Brass
Antique English Mother of Pearl Inlaid Table Cabinet Jewelry Box with Lap Desk
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Japanese Mother of Pearl inlaid jewelry box w lap desk This item includes restricted materials and can not be sold outside of the contiguous United States. Additional i...
Mother-of-Pearl
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...
Metal
Antique Travelling Jewellery Box, Chinese, Lacquered, Campaign Case, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique travelling jewellery box. A Chinese, lacquered pine campaign case, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900. Delightful example of red lacquered craftsmans...
Pine, Lacquer
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.
Bronze
Bohemian Silver-Mounted Overlay and Enameled Box, Dated 1852
Located in New York, NY
Bohemian silver-mounted overlay and enameled box, dated 1852 with chinoiserie decorations and Viennese silver.
Enamel, Silver
Japanese Laquered Papier Mâché Circular Cups Hand Painted, circa 1910 Set of 2
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This is a beautiful papier mâché, circular lacquered set of 2 cups, which we attribute to being made in Japan during the early 20th century, circa 1910. This is a very decoratives...
Paper
19th Century Chinoiserie Tall Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
In great condition for its age. With bone handle pulls.
Bone, Wood, Lacquer
Japanese Porcelain Vintage Trinket Lidded Boxes Set of Three
Located in Moreno Valley, 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...
Porcelain
Black Lacquered Chinese Jewelry Box Soapstone Brass Chinoiserie
Located in Poperinge, BE
Vintage Chinese jewelry box, chinoiserie jewelry box, made of black lacquered wood, brass details and soapstone image in relief of flower...
Soapstone, Brass
Japanese laquered Papier Mâché Circular Cups Hand-Painted, circa 1910 Set of 3
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This is a beautiful papier mâché, circular lacquered St of Cups, which we attribute to being made in Japan during the early 20th century, circa 1910. This is a very decorativeset ...
Paper
Chinese cloissoné Circular Cup or Vide Poche Hand-Painted, circa 1910
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Chinese cloissoné Circular Cup or Vide Poche Hand-Painted, circa 1910
Ceramic
Chinese Lacquer Hand-Painted Toiletry Box with Mirror
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. Valua...
Wood
$600Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Chinese Red Carved Cinnabar Lacquer Floral Trinket Box
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, AR
Vintage Chinese Red Carved Cinnabar Lacquer Floral Trinket Box.
Lacquer
Papier Mâché Massive Size Fine Quality 19th Century Sewing Box or Jewelry Box
Located in Westport, CT
Papier mâché circa 1870 English inlaid lacquered sewing box/jewelry box, with many Velvet and mother-of-pearl compartments, hidden area in center. Hand-carved mother-of-pearl, inlaid...
Gold Leaf
18th Century Japanned Chinoiserie Dome-Topped Box, Circa 1715-1725
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
Early 18th century George I Japanned Chinoiserie dome-topped box, Circa 1715-1725. England or France. A rare survivor from the first quarter of the ...
Cherry
$280
H 2.5 in W 2.63 in D 2.5 in
Antique Ormolu Jewelry Box Souvenir Casket Bevelled Glass Grand Tour France 1900
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Antique French Églomisé Casket - Souvenir from Verdun, France, circa 1900 A charming French antique casket from circa 1900 with gilt brass fittings and clear glass panels. The hinge...
Crystal, Ormolu
$160
H 2.88 in W 2.75 in D 2.38 in
Antique Ormolu Jewelry Box French Casket Bevelled Glass Paris Village Suisse
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Antique French Églomisé Casket - Souvenir from France, circa 1900 A charming French antique casket from circa 1900 with gilt brass fittings and clear glass panels. The hinged lid fe...
Crystal, Ormolu
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 ...
Brass
$196Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.25 in W 5.9 in D 3.55 in
Rectangular Brass and Bronze Wood Jewelry Box, 1950's
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Sturdy rectangular hinged trinket box for display or functional for jewelry. Wonderful piece to add to existing collection. Marked on the bottom, China
Metal, Brass, Bronze
$887
H 7.29 in W 13.59 in D 8.47 in
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...
Wood
1960s Vintage Italian Florentine Jewelry Box Chest
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents Very Vintage Italian Florentine Jewelry Box red and gold Florentine 7.5w x 4d x 4.5t fading present unrestored vintage missing...
Gold
English Mother of Pearl carved casket box with abalone inlay
Located in Winnetka, IL
English MOP carved casket box with abalone inlay. Velvet lining on 4 bracket feet
Abalone, Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Jewelry Box Brass Swan Bird Red Lacquer
Located in New York, NY
A '70 modern red lacquer or high-gloss 'demi-lune' box with inlayed brass swan bird design, circa 1970s. A chic decorative box for jewelry (as demonstrated)...
Brass
Japanese Jewelry Box, 1900
Located in Marseille, FR
Jewelry box Japan 1890/1900 decorated with a hundred Menukis in embossed brass and inlays measuring height 33 x 33 x 15 cm. Menukis are ornamental pi...
Rosewood
Tortoiseshell Tea Caddy With Inlaid Mother Of Pearl
Located in Dallas, TX
Tortoiseshell tea caddy with inlaid mother of pearl from England. Metal lined under two lids. Excellent condition, circa 1860.
Tortoise Shell, Mother-of-Pearl
$1,845
H 3.25 in W 5.25 in D 5.25 in
Antique French Louis XVI Style Crystal and Gilt Enameled Jewelry Casket Box
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 3 1/4 in W: 5 1/4 in D: 5 1/4 in This Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Style Crystal and Gilt Enameled Jewelry Casket Box is truly remarkable and whispers tale...
Crystal, Metal, Enamel, Ormolu
Wood Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
A rectangular wood box, Postmodern design period, circa late-20h century. Box has three wood hues, velvet lined, easy open/close lid. Very good condition as shown.
Velvet, Wood
Chinese Jewelry Box Jewelry Box Jade Rosewood Brass Vintage
Located in Poperinge, BE
Vintage wooden jewelry box, jewelry storage box with 5 drawers and 2 doors, decorated with jade and brass fittings, China, approximately mid-20t...
Jade, Brass
Vintage Chinese Jewelry Box Lacquered Wood Brass
Located in Poperinge, BE
Vintage Chinese jewelry box, jewelry box with drawers and doors, black lacquered wood inlaid with pearl and finished with brass fittings,...
Brass
Decorative Chinoiserie Bombe Style Black Lacquer Oriental Jewelry Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Decorative Chinoiserie Bombe Style Black Lacquer Oriental Jewelry Box. Circa Late 20th - Early 21st Century. Measurements: 19" H x 18.5" W x 11" D.
Wood
Mid-20th Century Black Lacquer Pagoda Jewelry Box With Clock
Located in Fort Washington, MD
Stunning Jewelry box with a pagoda style beautifully decorated, has a working clock that can be removed with a push through a hole on the back to adjust time or change battery This ...
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Cloisonne Enamel Box with Flowers Chinoiserie Style
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful small cloisonne box made of colorful enamel and brass, with flower design on lid, in the Chinoiserie style, circa mid-20th century. A convenient piece to hold a ring or e...
Brass, Enamel
Japanese Laquered Papier Mâché Circular Lidded Box Hand Painted, circa 1910
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This is a beautiful papier mâché, circular lacquered lidded box, which we attribute to being made in Japan during the early 20th century, circa 1910. This is a very decorative box...
Wood
Sold
H 2.5 in W 3.25 in D 3.25 in
Antique English chinoiserie Papier Mache Lidded Dresser Box, circa 1880
Located in Pearland, TX
A superb antique English black ebonized japanned papier mache lidded dresser box or trinket box with an Asian chinoiserie design, circa 1880. This Fine box is handmade with hand pain...
Paper
Vintage Black Lacquer Chinese Oriental Figural Pyramid Pagoda Jewelry Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Black Lacquer Chinese Oriental Figural Pyramid Pagoda jewelry box. Item features a black lacquer finish, gold gilt details, felt lined interior,...
Wood, Paint
Asian Wood and Brass Jewelry Box
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An asian wood and brass jewelry box. Dark red mahogany colored wood with with brass drawer pulls and decorative accents. Two doors open to reveal thr...
Brass
Decorative Jewelry Box with Fine Chinoiserie
Located in Greven, DE
Casket with chinoiserie Wooden jewelry box with paintings in Chinese style. Fine gold painting depicts leaves and vines as well as figural and architectural motifs. There is a d...
Wood, Lacquer
Sold
H 52 in W 22 in D 16 in
Chinese Lacquer Tansu Semanier Lingerie Jewelry Armoire Chest Dresser Chinoiseri
Located in Dayton, OH
Chinese jewelry armoire, chest or dresser featuring hand painted detail of pagodas, landscapes, birds, and florals with brass banded accents and butterfly pulls...
Brass
Le Tallec Orange Chinoserie Decorated Box, Full Hall Marked Great Patina
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vibrant and unique dresser or table top box for all your precious items. From the studio of Camille Le Tallec, we love the detail, craftsmanship and orange color. Atelier Le Tallec...
Gold, Enamel