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.
VTG Chinese Engraved Brass Box with Longevity Symbols and Carved Stone Medallion
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Elegant vintage Chinese brass decorative box featuring an intricately engraved exterior adorned with auspicious longevity and prosperity symbols amid stylized floral and foliate moti...
Brass
Vintage Chinese Oriental Gold Leaf Dome Lid Jewelry Box w/ Soapstone Figures
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinese Gold Leaf Dome Lid Oriental Jewelry Box w/ Carved Soapstone Figures and Red Lined Interior. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 6" H x 14" W x 9" D.
Wood
19th Century Chinoiserie Tall Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
In great condition for its age. With bone handle pulls.
Bone, Wood, Lacquer
Vintage Chinese Porcelain Shard Box Oriental Decorative Nickel Silver
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Chinese Porcelain Shard Box Oriental Decorative Nickel Silver Box Blue and White. Vintage Chinese Nickel Silver Box with Blue and White Porcelain S...
Metal
Pair of 19th Century American Henry Troemner Philadephia Pa Chinoiserie Tea Bins
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a gorgeous and extremely rare pair mid-19th century, metal tea bins, by Henry Troemner of Philadelphia, PA in the chinoiserie style. From circa 1845. Made of black enamel...
Tin
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
$707Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Carved Keepsake Case, Chinese, Satinwood, Decorative Box, Circa 1950
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage carved keepsake case. A Chinese, satinwood decorative box, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1950. Profusely carved throughout with an abundance of Oriental cr...
Satinwood
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 Japanese Dovetailed Copper Dragon Tobacco Tea Snuff Storage Jar Caddy 6"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Japanese barrel shaped lidded tobacco, tea, snuff jar / box / caddy. Made of copper, hammered, dovetailed, studded, and etched with dragons. ...
Copper
Chinese Export Cloisonné Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Lovely Chinese export cloisonné box made of brass and enameled with a beautiful mountain scene decoration in vibrant yellow color resting on ball feet. This chinoiserie box is marked...
Brass, Enamel
$1,258Sale Price|20% Off
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 Red and Gold Lacquer Octagonal Tiered Wedding Box
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
A captivating late 19th-century Chinese octagonal multi-tiered stacking presentation or wedding box. This ceremonial dowry vessel features a classic tapered, faceted silhouette envel...
Wood
Antique Russian Imperial Silver Chinoiserie Tea Caddy Gustav Klingert Moscow
By Gustav Klingert
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...
Silver
$400Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Chinese Cinnabar Lacquer Floral Trinket Box, 1960s
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, AR
Vintage Chinese Red Carved Cinnabar Lacquer Floral Trinket Box. Shipping & Location This item is located in Buenos Aires, Argentina. We offer secu...
Lacquer
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
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.
Wood
$164Sale Price|30% Off
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
Bamboo
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.
Bone, Wood, Lacquer
Two Korean Antique Dowery Boxes in Brown Rattan and Red Papier-Mâché
Located in New York, NY
Two attractive 19th century Korean dowery boxes in brown rattan and red hand-painted papier-mâché, the one slightly larger in delicately interwoven brown ra...
Rattan
Vintage Lacquered Clam Shell Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This vintage lacquered clam shell box brings bold color and organic shape to any vignette. Crafted from bamboo with a vibrant oil paint finish, the exterior shows a rich patina in am...
Bamboo, Paint
19th Century black lacquered jewellery box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century chinese black lacquered jewellery box circa 1860. Good quality shaped chinese jewellery box with overstuffed top cushion. Hand painted i...
Fabric, Wood, Lacquer
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.
Wood
Antique Chinoiserie Regency Box
Located in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire
A most attractive Regency painted chinoiserie box in an unusually large size; plain painted interior.
Wood
Chinoiserie Decorated Wig Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A hand carved, hand painted and lacquered, hinged wig box with classic Chinese red painted interior. Incised brass knob and lock.
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Asian Chinese Box Black Lacquered Gilt Painted 1940s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique Oriental Chinese Export Black Lacquered Gilt Painted Covered Box 1940s. Large Asian Chinese black lacquered tea box with nume...
Giltwood, Lacquer
Chinese decorative lacquered leather box - 19th Century
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Asian Art - Antique Decoration Measures : 30x18cm H:10,5cm Materials : Leather, Metal, Wood, Lacquered
Metal
Oriental Carved Camphor Wood Chest
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Oriental carved camphor wood chest This Beautiful Carved Chest is made from Camphor Wood, for those of you who do not know campho...
Wood
Early 19th Century Chinese Export Scarlet Red Lacquer & Gilt Wood Table Box
Located in Litchfield, CT
Antique early 19th century Chinese export scarlet red lacquer & gilt wood storage box with hinged lid. Rectangular shape measures 15 5/8" x 9 1/2" x 5 1/2" tall. Decorated with figur...
Wood
Vintage Hand Carved Asian Landscape Wood Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exceptional vintage storage chest is a masterpiece of relief carving, showcasing an immersive panoramic village scene set amidst a rugged, architectural mountain landscape. Hand...
Wood
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...
Other
Antique Chinese Export Black Lacquered Gilt Painted Box, 1940s Decor
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique Oriental Chinese Export Black Lacquered Gilt Painted Covered Box 1940s. Large Asian Chinese black lacquered tea box with nume...
Giltwood, Lacquer
Chositsu Cylindrical Chinese Box. China, late 19th Century.
Located in Madrid, ES
Cylindrical box made of bronze using the sculpted lacquer technique called "Chositsu". A highly valuable technique, since in order to sculpt the motifs, it was necessary to apply a l...
Bronze