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Chinoiserie 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
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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Stone, Jade, Brass

Old Chinese Jewelry Box Jewelry Box Jade Rosewood Brass
Located in Poperinge, BE
Old Chinese rosewood wooden jewelry box, jewelry box with brass fittings and a jade plaque in the center of the lid, inside a red lining with golden floral decoration, second half of...
Category

1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Brass

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 Boxes

Materials

Wood

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 Boxes

Materials

Bone, Wood, Lacquer

Large Chinese Jewelry Box Jewelry Box Jade Rosewood Brass
Located in Poperinge, BE
Large Vintage rosewood wooden jewelry box, jewelry storage box with 5 drawers and 2 doors, decorated with jade and brass fittings, circa mid 20th century, marked Shanghai made in Chi...
Category

1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Brass

Chinese Jewelry Box with Drawers Jewelry Box Jade Rosewood Brass
Located in Poperinge, BE
Old Chinese rosewood jewelry box with 2 doors and 3 drawers, jewelry box with brass fittings and a jade plaque in the center of the doors and sides, inside a red lining with silver-c...
Category

1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Brass

Antique Russian Imperial Silver Chinoiserie Tea Caddy Gustav Klingert Moscow
Located in Portland, OR
A fine quality antique Russian Imperial silver tea caddy, engraved in the Chinoiserie style, by Gustav Klingert, Moscow, dated 1894. Gu...
Category

1890s Russian Antique Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Silver

Long Narrow Chinese Laquered Box with Brass Bun Feet
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Lovely unusually long and narrow Chinoiserie box having black background with red and gold flowers, brass hinge and bun feet.
Category

1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Wood

Antique Chinese Chinoiserie Box with Mother of Pearl
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Antique Chinese Chinoiserie Wooden box with Handpainted inserts. Mother of Pearl decorative buttons. Double sides doors with compartments for small sculptures. Great piece.
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Wood

Maitland Smith Chinese Chinoiserie Lacquered Silverware Flatware Chest Box
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th century black lacquered chinoiseries silverware chest by Maitland Smith. Features a scene of familial figures in a garden on the lid and Chinese landscapes along the sides....
Category

1990s Philippine Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Brass

Antique Chinese Lead & Bronze Tea Caddy With Glass Covered Panels
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Antique Chinese 9-sided lead & bronze tea caddy with 18 hand-painted panels (behind glass) with ornate frames. Raised seal mark on base. The tea caddy with a removable domed lid and ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Bronze, Lead

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 Boxes

Materials

Bronze

Maitland Smith Lacquered Chinoiserie Dome Top Lion Handle Storage Keepsake Box
Located in Dayton, OH
An impressive lacquered keepsake box by Maitland Smith, circa 1990s. Features a chinoiserie motif with flowers and Asian figures. the box is in the form of a treasure chest with hing...
Category

1990s Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Hardwood, Lacquer

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 Boxes

Materials

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...
Category

19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl

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 Boxes

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Burmese Gold and Black Lacquer Owl Boxes, Set of 2
Located in Stamford, CT
1960s hand-painted gold and black lacquer owl nesting boxes. Larger box is signed on the underside "handmade in Burma".
Category

1960s Burmese Vintage Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Paint, Paper

Enamelled and Cloisonné Silver Box, Jade Inlay, China, 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Enamelled and cloisonné silver box, jade inlay, China, 19th century. Enamelled and cloisonné silver box, jade inlay, China, 19th century. H: 6cm, W: 11cm, D: 7cm
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Silver

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Rosewood

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 Boxes

Materials

Wood

Lacquered papier-mâché box with chinoiserie motifs – Europe, mid-19th century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
A charming cylindrical box with a domed lid made of black lacquered papier-mâché, known as japanning, is decorated throughout with chinoiserie scenes featuring small figures in a gar...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Paper

19th Century Japanese Style Storage Box - Bamboo and Copper
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful antique storage box, made of bamboo, beautifully decorated with plates of gracefully embossed copper. The chest was probably made in Japan, for the European/French market...
Category

1890s Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Copper

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...
Category

1930s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Antique Chinese leather box - circa mid-19th century
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Antique Chinese leather box - circa mid-19th century This antique Chinese box was handcrafted from leat Measures : 22x13cm H:8cm Materials...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Copper

Large Vintage Bamboo Lidded Storage Box Chinoiserie Modern Container Case 20"
Located in Dayton, OH
Intriguing modern bamboo case or basket. Features a decorated bamboo wrapped exterior and lid. Great for display or use. Dimensions: 20.5" x 16" x 14"h
Category

Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Bamboo

Dutch Delft Blue and White Hand-Painted Ceramic Bonbonnière Box
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
This rare and exceptional Royal Delft Blue bonbonnière, produced by De Porceleyne Fles to commemorate the factory’s 300th anniversary (1653-1953), is ...
Category

1950s Dutch Vintage Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware, Faience

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...
Category

1890s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Pine, Lacquer

Rare 19th Century Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Tea Caddy, circa 1820
Located in Richmond, London
A very rare English Regency period chinoiserie style black lacquer box, exquisitely gilt-decorated with whimsical oriental motifs. England, early 19th century. Why we like it A cha...
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Vintage Oval Ceramic Chinoiserie Blue and White Trinket Dish with Lid
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A small oval chinoiserie blue and white trinket dish with a lid. This piece is from China and was created in ceramic with blue paint. It is white, with a painted scenic design on the...
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

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...
Category

19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Stone, Gold

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...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Soapstone, Brass

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 Boxes

Materials

Soapstone

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 Boxes

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Antique Chinese lacquered leather box - XIXème
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Antique Chinese lacquered leather box Original signature seal - Asian Art Measures : 20x11cm H:3,5cm Material : Leather - copper
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Copper

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 Boxes

Materials

Other

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 Boxes

Materials

Metal

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...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

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 Boxes

Materials

Wood

Early 19th Century Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Boxes
Located in Richmond, London
An early 19th century set of four small chinoiserie black lacquer and gilt boxes. Circa 1830. Why we like them Exquisite gilt decoration, wonderfully preserved original condition. ...
Category

Early 19th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

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...
Category

19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Gold Leaf

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...
Category

1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Rock Crystal, Enamel, Brass

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 Boxes

Materials

Enamel

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...
Category

1910s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Paper

Elegant Cloisonné Cherry Blossom Trinket Jewel Box Enamel with Teal Interior
Located in Red Lion, PA
Elegant 20th Century Cloisonné Cherry Blossom Trinket Box – Brass & Enamel with Teal Interior This exquisite vintage cloisonné trinket box is a beautiful example of 20th-century dec...
Category

20th Century Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Brass, Enamel

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 Boxes

Materials

Bone, Wood, Lacquer

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 ...
Category

18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Cherry

Japan, Pair of Hokai boxes in lacquered wood, Edo period, 1829
Located in PARIS, FR
Japan, Pair of Hokai boxes in lacquered wood, Edo period, 1829 Japan, Rare Pair of Hokai boxes in lacquered wood, Edo period, dated Bunsei 12, 1829. Hokai boxes are traditionally use...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

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.
Category

1850s Austrian Antique Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Enamel, Silver

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 Boxes

Materials

Brass

Silver Painted Wooden Pagoda Storage Box
Located in Stamford, CT
Custom silver painted wooden pagoda box. Three tiered storage compartments plus pagoda finial lid. No makers mark.
Category

Early 2000s American Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Wood

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 Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Bone, Wood, Lacquer, Paint

19th Century Chinoiserie Tall Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
In great condition for its age. With bone handle pulls.
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Bone, Wood, Lacquer

Antique Chinese Shanxi Round Bentwood Dumpling Serving Steamer Box 20"
Located in Dayton, OH
Early 20th century Shanxi wooden storage box used for serving steamed dumplings / food at family gatherings. This steamer box features traditional round, rustic, bentwood constructi...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Bentwood

English Chinoiserie Tole Box
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An English black tole box from the late 19th century decorated with Chinoiserie references like costumed figures, willow trees, and birds. This small rectangular case bears a charmin...
Category

19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Metal

An Iron Chinoiserie Box, 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
An Iron Chinoiserie Box, 19th Century Description: The iron box rectangular in form, with brass drop handle affixed to flat top with gilt work figurative scene, further gilt work s...
Category

19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Iron

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 Boxes

Materials

Leather

Chinese Export Large Round Box Black Lacquered Gilt Painted Covered Box 1950s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large Chinese black lacquered box with numerous figures and gilt detail. Chinese round black lacquer and gilt painted box, made for the expor...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

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 ...
Category

1910s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Boxes

Materials

Paper

Chinoiserie Famille Rose Box 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 Boxes

Materials

Ceramic

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 Boxes

Materials

Wood

Chinoiserie boxes for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinoiserie 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 boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, asian art and furniture, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinoiserie 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 boxes, popular names associated with this style include Cartier, Daniel & John Welby, Henry Troemner, and Iradj Moini. 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 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 $822.

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