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
$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
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
Handcrafted Antique Tinned Copper Metal Betel Box, India
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Beautiful handcrafted antique tinned copper decorative octagonal betel box with with lid, handle and brass latch. The metal is delicately and int...
Brass, Copper, Tin
Rectangular silver-gilded cigarette case
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Rectangular gilded silver cigarette case in filigree mesh with inscription. Metal: Silver. Origin: Portuguese. Brand: Eagle Head. Weight: 119.08 grams. Dimensions: 11.3c...
Silver
$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
wonderful antique silver cigarette case from china
Located in Munich, DE
another piece from my personal collection. wonderful handmade cigarette case from china. made by an unknown artist and retailed by the company woshing / shanghai. the stamp dates the...
Silver
19th Century Chinoiserie Tall Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
In great condition for its age. With bone handle pulls.
Bone, Wood, Lacquer
Italian Gold-Mounted Micromosaic Snuff Box
Located in New York, NY
Italian micro mosaic plaque mounted within snuff box, depicting white and brown hound seated on grass. Circle of Giacomo Raffaelli (1753-1836). R...
Glass
Cigarette Case Silver 925 Absolute Striped Salimbeni
By Salimbeni
Located in Firenze, FI
Cigarette case silver 925 , striped and oval section in 925/1000 sterling silver. Opening button and spring opening . Early 20th century Art Deco style. ...
Sterling Silver
$95 / item
H 2.5 in W 5 in D 3.75 in
Asian Antique Oval Betel Box, Silvered Metal, Floral Design, 1960
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Asian decorative trinket lidded box in metal silvered hammered and etched with organic floral design. Anglo Raj style oval form betel box. Dimensio...
Metal
Exceptional French 18K Gold-Mounted Opal Matrix Snuff Box, circa 1800
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
An exceptional French 18-karat gold-mounted opal matrix snuff box, circa 1800, formerly in the distinguished Hartman Collection. Of elegant rectangular form with chamfered corners, ...
Opal, Gold
Antique Austrian Art Deco Silver Cigarette Case
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco silver cigarette case, ca 1925. Rectangular; cover flat and hinged with tab and thumb rest. Sides and underside engine-turned; cover top central same band between lobing. Gi...
Silver
Gabriella Crespi Brass Pill Cigarette Card Box Italian, 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Gabriella Crespi brass pill cigarette card box Italian, 1970s Measures: 4.4 inches wide on each side 0.3 inches deep Born in 1922, Gabriella Crespi studies architecture at the Poli...
Brass
Chinese Export Cloisonné Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Lovely Chinese export cloisonné box made of brass and enameled with a beautiful floral pattern in beautiful colors of red, green, blue and red. The box rests on ball feet. This chino...
Brass, Enamel
19th Century French Silver Snuff Box
Located in Delft, NL
19th century French silver snuff box Late 19th century silver snuffbox with engraved centre and gilt interior Hall marked by the Silversmith, Dubois Leon & Bauve Henri The Dutch...
Silver
Russian Gold 14k Cigarette Case St. Petersburg, pre-1917
Located in Sarasota, FL
Russian gold cigarette case circa 1890's. Marked with 56 (14K) kokoshnik mark, and "A" for St. Petersburg. Maker's mark is either WI or IM....
Gold
Italian Hardstone 'Rhodonite' Box, circa 1970s
Located in Litchfield, CT
This fabulous Italian hardstone box is a sleek, colorful example of seventies decorative objets, Italy, circa 1970s. The Rhodonite used in this one was c...
Rhodoid
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