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.
Japanese Kyoto Damascene Tiger Cigarette/Card Mixed Metal Case Amita Japan
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
This is a fine quality Japanese damascene case made by and signed Amita which was in business in Kyoto Japan from the 1930's to the 1970's. The tiger de...
Metal, Brass, Enamel
French Chinoiserie Hardstone Snuff Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
A marvelously carved chinoiserie motif adorns the lid of this incredible 19th-century French tabatière or snuff box. The charming scene is intricately crafted in the form of a boating figure who holds aloft an umbrella formed of yellow gold, while the box itself is crafted from attractive brown hardstone mounted with stunning yellow gold "waves." Enchanting and beautifully executed, the rare snuff box is an incredible example of the creative artistry of these delightful boxes, as well as the highly popular chinoiserie style. Inhaling snuff, or snuffing, as it is also called, was a popular social ritual among the European elite from the 16th through the 19th centuries. Over these 300 years, master artisans created and designed elegant snuff boxes using...
Stone, Gold
$396Sale Price|20% Off
Fish Scale Midnight Blue Chinese Cloisonne Tobacco Box 1930's
Located in Mobile, AL
Monochrome Chinese Fish Scale cloisonne is long famed for it's high quality of craftsmanship and understated elegance. A staple of interior design...
Metal, Enamel
$1,000Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Leather
Chinese Lattice Top Incense Box, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This slender metal container is a 19th-century white brass incense burner, used for storing and burning incense sticks. The small box has a rectangular form and a removable sliding t...
Brass
Chinese Baitong Stacking Incense Clock, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This three-tiered container is a 19th-century white brass incense clock, once used as a relatively accurate method to mark the passage of time. Incense c...
Brass
French Carved Snuff Box, Mid-19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The elaborately carved snuff box with a scene of two mermaids on the cover and deeply carved shell on the reverse.
Boxwood
$9,850
H 20 in W 16 in D 12 in
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 ...
Wood
Chinese White Brass Happiness Brazier, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Filled with burning coals, this petite 19th-century brass brazier once warmed the hands of a well-to-do person on a cold winter's night in northern China. The brazier is crafted of white brass in a rectangular form, complete with a hinged handle and an intricately pierced lid with a chrysanthemum pattern. The exterior is etched with a pattern of golden coins...
Brass
19th Century Chinoiserie Tall Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
In great condition for its age. With bone handle pulls.
Bone, Wood, Lacquer
$1,995
H 6.25 in W 3.25 in D 0.5 in
Large Antique Komai Style Japanese Damascene Cigarillo, Cigar or Cigarette Case
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large antique damascene styled tobacco case is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Japan and dating to approximately 1920 and done in a Anglo-Japanese style. The case...
Metal
19th Century Chinoiserie Lacquer Sewing Box, Hand-Painted with Gilt
Located in Toronto, CA
This is a remarkable 19th century, Japanese lacquered sewing box with multiple compartments on the interior. The exterior is decorated in elaborate black and gilded motifs including...
Bone, Wood, Lacquer
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...
Lacquer
Silver Shibayama Cigarette Case
Located in London, GB
A very fine and rare silver Shibayama cigarette case, exquisitely decorated with 18 individual hand crafted insects in semi precious stones. This superb piece bares silver hallmark...
Silver
Vintage Asian Lacquered Chinoiserie Sewing Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite vintage Asian lacquered box is a stunning example of mid-century Chinoiserie design. Featuring a classic octagonal silhouette, the piece is finished in a deep black la...
Brass, Gold Leaf
Rectangular silver cigarette case
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Rectangular silver cigarette case with longitudinal bands on the hinged lid. Metal: Silver. Origin: Portuguese. Brand: javali II Title. Weight: 151.38 grams. Dimensions:...
Silver
Sold
H 2.125 in W 9.25 in D 5.25 in
1950s Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Mother of Pearl Cigarette Tobacco Box Ashtray
Located in Dayton, OH
midcentury Japanese chinoiserie black lacquered cigarette box decorated with mother of pearl flowers and butterflies, opening to reveal compartment ...
Brass
Sold
H 2.25 in W 4.5 in D 3.5 in
Chinese Export Brass Snuff Box with Turquoise Enamel Dragons and Beads Inlaid
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Asian Chinese export snuff or censor box hand painted with gold dragons on turquoise blue enamel background the top cover is enameled and inlaid with semi precious turquoise and coral stones. Chinese brass...
Metal, Brass
19th Century English Copper Tea Caddy
Located in Chicago, IL
A beautiful 19th century English copper and brass tea leaf caddy in the form of a Chinese double-gourd, a symbol of fertility and often depicted in Chinese paintings with wisps of wh...
Brass, Copper
Majolica Palissy Dragons Tobacco Jar Thomas Sergent, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Unusual Majolica tobacco jar with dragons signed Thomas Sergent, circa 1880. A turtle on the handle.
Ceramic, Faience
Saint Cloud Silver-Mounted White Snuff Box Made circa 1745
By Saint Cloud
Located in Katonah, NY
A white porcelain snuff box molded with pagodas and flowering trees. The base decorated with a dragonfly and flowers (see image #5). The silver mou...
Silver