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.
Pair of French Ormolu Mounted Chinese Blue & White Porcelain Ten Arm Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
A monumental pair of Chinoiserie style French Ormolu mounted Chinese blue and white porcelain ten arm candelabras. These are truly a beautiful and monumental pair of candelabras. The...
Bronze
A Pair Red Gilt Chinoiserie Candelabra Table Lamps
Located in Bradenton, FL
A Beautiful Pair Red Gilt Chinoiserie Candelabra table lamps attributed to E.F. Caldwell, New York. Electrified four candle arms and center light, carved wood with fine red Japanned ...
Wood
Pair of Porcelain and Doré Bronze Candelabra, Barbedienne, Edouard Lievre
Located in New York, NY
A very unusual pair of antique French doré bronze and Chinese Export porcelain, orientalist style, three-light candelabra designed by the outmost renowned French orientalist designer; Edouard Lievre, and finely executed by Ferdinand Barbedienne. Each crafted in rich orientalist design with three very fine hand chiseled ormolu elephant...
Bronze
Pair 19th Century French Chinoiserie Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
Pair of antique (late 19th century) French gilt bronze candelabra in the Chinoiserie style, featuring polychrome porcelain figures of seated Buddha and six candle arms. Possibly fro...
Bronze
French Gilt Bronze and Faience Clock Set in the Chinoiserie Style
Located in London, GB
French gilt bronze and faience clock set in the chinoiserie style French, late 19th century Clock: Height 52cm, width 43cm, depth 18cm Candelabra: Height 53cm, width 26cm, depth 1...
Ormolu, Bronze
Chinoiserie Cold Painted and Gilt Bronze Clock and Candelabra
Located in London, GB
This clock set is designed in a wonderful ‘chinoiserie’ style. This style was inspired by the art of China, and it was very fashionable in Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries. The ...
Ormolu, Bronze
Pair of Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Candelabras in the Chinese Style, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of large porcelain and gilt bronze candelabras in the Chinese style, 19th century. A pair of large 19th century Napoleon III period porcelain candelabra with Chinese-style ormo...
Bronze
Oriental Style Gilt Bronze and Champlevé Enamel Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This clock set was designed in France in the late 19th century in a fanciful ‘Oriental’ style. The set is comprised of a mantel clock and a pair of candelabra, all of which have been...
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
$2,850 / set
H 18 in W 7 in D 6 in
Beautiful French Dore Bronze Marble Cherub Ormolu-Mounted Candelabra Lamps, Pair
Located in Roslyn, NY
A beautiful pair of French gilt doré bronze and marble cherub ormolu-mounted candelabra / three branch lamps.
Marble, Bronze
$1,600 / set
H 16 in W 11 in D 11 in
Pair of 19th Century French Louis XVI Gilt Bronze and Porcelain Candelabras
Located in Dallas, TX
Elevate a mantel or dining table with this refined pair of French Louis XVI candelabras, crafted circa 1870 with exceptional decorative detail. Each antique piece stands on an elegan...
Bronze
$126Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 7.88 in W 5.71 in D 2.76 in
Contemporary Italian Porcelain Esotica Collection, Snake by Vito Nesta
By Vito Nesta
Located in Milano, Lombardia
This Italian porcelain sculpture is part of Grand Tour by Vito Nesta. Made in Capodimonte porcelain with a glossy and iridescent finish. This double candle holder...
Porcelain
$5,019
H 16.54 in W 8.27 in D 5.12 in
Late 18th Century Louis XVI Period Bronze Ormolu Mantel Clock with Candelabras
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A finely bronze fire-gilded ormolu mantel clock set with matching candelabras. Rich ornate with typical Louis XVI mounts, floral garlands, scr...
Carrara Marble, Bronze, Ormolu, Enamel
$2,800
H 7.5 in Dm 4.5 in
Antique French Porcelain "Veilleuse" or Tea Warmer Night Light, Circa 1880-1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique 19th century French multi-colored porcelain "Veilleuse," or tea warmer & night light, Circa 1880-1890. Candle base on the bottom with a beautiful t...
Porcelain
$2,400
H 9 in Dm 4.5 in
Antique French Porcelain "Veilleuse" or Tea Warmer Night Light, Circa 1880-1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique 19th century French emerald green porcelain "Veilleuse," or tea warmer & night light, Circa 1880-1890. Beautiful hand-painted landscape scene. Candle base on the bottom with...
Porcelain
$157Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 11.82 in Dm 3.35 in
Contemporary Italian Porcelain Esotica Collection, Toucan by Vito Nesta
By Vito Nesta
Located in Milano, Lombardia
This Italian porcelain sculpture is part of Grand Tour by Vito Nesta. Made in Capodimonte porcelain with a glossy and iridescent finish. this double candle holder...
Porcelain
$16,800Sale Price|30% Off
H 28.35 in Dm 13.78 in
Amazing Pair of French 19th Century Bronze and Gilt Bronze Candelabras
Located in Rome, IT
A fine pair of French 19th century bronze and gilt bronze candelabras, each with a dark bronze delicious dancing putto figures and parrots holding aloft three scrolled candle-branche...
Bronze
$27,500 / set
H 15 in W 12.5 in D 6.5 in
Pair of American Parcel-Gilt and Bronze Candelabra/Lamps E.F.Caldwell Attributed
Located in New York, NY
A fine pair of American parcel-gilt and patinated bronze, twin light candelabras/ table lamps attributed to Edward F. Caldwell & Co, New York, first quarter of the 20th century. Ea...
Bronze, Gold Leaf
$19,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.35 in Dm 13.78 in
Amazing Pair of French 19th Century Bronze and Gilt Bronze Candelabras
Located in Rome, IT
A fine pair of French 19th century bronze and gilt bronze candelabras, each with a dark bronze delicious dancing putto figures and parrots holding aloft three scrolled candle-branche...
Bronze
$12,400 / set
H 24.75 in W 13.75 in D 13.5 in
Pair of 19th Century Bronze 24-Carat Gold-Plated Six-Arm Figural Candelabras
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of stunning Louis XVI style 19th century bronze 24-carat gold-plated six-arm figural candelabras. Each having five arms forming a large candelabra supported by a man and the mat...
Bronze
$3,500 / set
H 32.5 in W 14.5 in D 11.5 in
Pair Exotic French 19th Century Figural Gilt and Patinated Bronze Candelabras
Located in New York, NY
Pair of large and finest quality exotic orientalist motif French 19th century figural gilt and patinated bronze Candelabras on original marble bases.
Bronze
Chinoiserie Patinated Brass Figural Candelabra, 2
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Chinoiserie patinated brass two light figural candelabra in the Brighton Pavilion Style, each with male and female figures holding two light...
Brass
Sold
H 13.5 in W 10.75 in D 4 in
Pair of French Chinoiserie Candelabra Attributed to Samson, Early 20th Century
By Samson & Cie
Located in Austin, TX
A delightful pair of French Chinoiserie gilt metal and porcelain two arm candelabra, early 20th century, with the porcelain figures attributed to Samson et Cie, Paris. The candelabra feature a matched pair of Chinese Export style famille rose enameled porcelain court ladies by Samson. The figures, standing on raised plinths, dressed in exquisite court robes and holding up vases, are near copies of late 18th century Qianlong period nodding head court lady candle...
Metal
Sold
H 15 in W 8 in D 8 in
Wonderful Pair of French Gilt Dore Bronze Chinoiserie Rose Medallion Candelabras
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Pair Of French Gilt Dore Bronze Candelabras With Beautiful Hand painted Rose Medallion Porcelain Center Urn Form Body In The Chinoiserie Motif.
Bronze
Ming Dynasty Temple Bronze Candle Pricket, 16th Century
Located in Dallas, TX
Ming period temple bronze candle pricket, circa 16th Century. Whimsical dragon food dogs holding a bamboo candleholder. Measures: Height 20 inches, wid...
Bronze
Antique Bronze Chinoiserie Crane and Tortoise Candlesticks
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of antique brass or bronze French naturalist fantasy candelabra or candle sticks with an age old chinoiserie composition depicting a crane or stork eating a snake while sitting ...