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.
$512Sale Price / set|20% Off
Blue and White Hand-Painted Ceramic Candlestick Pair by Royal Delft
By Royal Delft
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Hand-painted Royal Delft candlesticks by De Porceleyne Fles decorated in classic blue and white and offered as a pair with original Delft boxes. This rare and elegant pair of Royal ...
Ceramic, Earthenware, Delft
Antique Royal Doulton Hand-painted Porcelain Candle Stands
Located in Worcester Park, GB
Crafted in fine porcelain by Royal Doulton and marked accordingly, this pair of hand-painted candle stands features the rare and dramatic Oyama pattern—an homage to East Asian design...
Porcelain
Pair Chinese Cloisonné Cranes as Candlestick Prickets
Located in New York, NY
This darling pair of cloisonné crane pricket candlesticks would be the perfect addition to any home. In Chinese mythology the symbol of the crane represents longevity, and the depict...
Bronze, Enamel, Gold Leaf
Chinoiserie Blue and White Delft Porcelain Candle Holders, England
Located in Miami, FL
A fine pair of blue and white Delft porcelain candle holders. Crafted in England. Decorated with floral motifs and embellished with t...
Porcelain
Pair Royal Crown Derby "Gold Aves" Candlesticks. Vintage With Dolphin bases
By Royal Crown Derby Porcelain
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant pair of 24 karat gold and white fine porcelain candlesticks by the re known English firm of Royal Crown Derby. This elaborate design of adorned birds and peacocks is appli...
Gold
Pair of Large Antique French Chinoiserie Brass Candlesticks in Pagoda Style
Located in COLMAR, FR
A pair of large, antique, tripod candlesticks in brass in a unique chinoiserie style. Their néo-gothic, pagoda shape and their impressive size (12 inches tall) make them highly decor...
Brass
Vintage Oriental Foo Dog Stacked Brass Pricket Chinese 20" Candlesticks - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Oriental Foo Dog Stacked Brass Pricket Chinese Candlesticks - a Pair. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 19.5" H x 4.5" W x 4.5" D.
Brass
Vintage Boho Glazed Ceramic Monkey Candlestick
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Inject a dose of whimsical sophistication into your decor with this charming vintage ceramic monkey candlestick. A quintessential example of Hollywood Regency and Chinoiserie chic, t...
Ceramic
1960s Brass Lotus Flower Candleholders Set
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of brass lotus flower candleholders. Solid brass with overall unpolished patina.
Brass
Vintage Japanese Cloisonne Enamel 13" Brass Bronze Candlestick Lamp Base - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Japanese Cloisonne Enamel 13" Brass Bronze Candlestick Lamp Base - Pair. Item features tall slender forms, cloisonne enamel, holes to bas...
Bronze
Late 20th Century Vintage Chinoiserie Blue & White Monkey Candle Stick Holder
Located in Cookeville, TN
FABULOUS Vintage Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Blue & White Monkey Candle Stick Holder. The piece measures 7 inches tall x 4 inches wide x 3.25 inches deep
Ceramic
Vintage Asian Opposing Glazed Ceramic Elephant Candlesticks - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This captivating pair of vintage ceramic elephant figures pays homage to the classic Chinoiserie tradition, designed to serve as striking decorative objects or majestic candle holder...
Ceramic
Vintage Carved Wood Elephant Candlesticks - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Infuse your home with a sense of global grandeur with this striking pair of Regency-style elephant candle holders. Each piece features a majestic, highly detailed elephant standing a...
Resin, Wood
$219Sale Price|20% Off
Pair of Red Cloisonné and Metal Candlestick decorated with birds and flowers
Located in Roma, IT
Pair of vintage candlesticks probably produced between the 60s and 70s. We do not know whether it is a Chinoiserie, therefore candlesticks made in Europe but in an Oriental style, or whether it is a Chinese production, despite the uncertain origin, they remain splendid decorative elements. These candlesticks have a quadrangular base and candle holder in silver metal, polished by us with a specific product. The peculiarity is in the stems of these vintage candlesticks, made with the Cloisonné technique, an artistic enamel decoration that involves a design made of thin threads or strips or small metal partitions...
Metal, Brass, Enamel
$788 / set
H 8.08 in W 3.94 in D 3.15 in
Vintage Pair of Brass Dolphin /Sea Serpent Candlesticks in Italian Baroque Style
By Pauly et Cie
Located in Roma, IT
We are pleased to offer for sale a highly decorative pair of candle holders that will not go unnoticed on any table setting. This is a pair of sculptural candlesticks, crafted in gil...
Metal, Brass
Pair of Similar French Louis XVI Style Brass Candlesticks, 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
An elegant pair of very similar French Louis XVI-style brass candlesticks or candle holders from the 1920s. Beautifully ornate with rich chiseling, stripes, and rosettes throughout....
Brass
$3,200 / set
H 8.75 in W 7 in D 5 in
Pair Chinese Cloisonne Tapir Candlesticks, Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China
Located in Austin, TX
A delightful pair of Chinese cloisonne candlesticks in the form of tapirs, Late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China. The charming pair of candlesticks each crafted as a tapir seated upo...
Copper, Enamel
Unavailable|$3,950 / set
H 10.75 in W 5.25 in D 5.25 in
Pair of Royal Crown Derby Olde Avesbury Pattern Candlesticks & 8 Dinner Plates
By Royal Crown Derby Porcelain
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
These tall candlesticks and dinner plates were made by the renowned English porcelain maker, Royal Crown Derby. The candlesticks and plates are done in their 'Olde Avesbury...
Porcelain
$120Sale 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
$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
$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
$2,800
H 20.48 in Dm 10.24 in
Royal Delft Baluster Vase Chinoiserie Peacock Hand-Painted Blue White Delftware
By Delft, AK Dutch Delftware, Royal Delft
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Royal Delft Baluster Vase with Peacock – Hand-Painted Blue and White Delftware An impressive and highly decorative vintage Royal Delft baluster vase and cover, expertly hand-painted...
Ceramic, Earthenware, Delft
Large Pair of Antique Brass Candlesticks.English, 19th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great pair of brass candlesticks Original patina Good condition Free UK shipping
Brass
$150Sale 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
Pair of Antique Victorian Brass Candlesticks
Located in Suffolk, GB
Pair of antique Victorian brass candlesticks having circular tops above a turned shaped column raised on a stepped shaped base. Measures: 23 x 9 x 9.5 cm. Date 1860.
Brass
$854 / set
H 19.3 in W 7.09 in D 4.73 in L 19.3 in
Antique Pair Japanese Bronze Pricket Candlesticks 19th Century
Located in London, GB
A delightful pair of Antique Japanese bronze crane figural pricket candlesticks, dating from the mid-19th century. There is no mistaking their unique quality and design, which is su...
Bronze
Pair of Hand-Pained Royal Crown Derby Vases, Circa 1880
By Royal Crown Derby Porcelain
Located in Houston, TX
These highly decorative pair of English, late 19th-century reticulated porcelain vases by Royal Crown Derby, date to approximately 1880. Each vase is beautifully hand-painted with v...
Porcelain
$649
H 4.73 in W 4.73 in D 1.19 in
Arts & Crafts Blue and White Porcelain Butterfly Wall Vesta Match Holder
Located in Nottingham, GB
Moulded in high relief as a butterfly with spread wings, this glazed porcelain wall-mounted vesta holder served as a decorative pocket for matches or spills in the late Victorian or ...
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Porcelain Candle Holders
Located in Land O' Lakes, FL
A pair of early 20th century Chinese porcelain hand painted candlesticks with pink, yellow and blue florals with various shades of green foliage. The designs wrap around the candle h...
Porcelain
Chinoiserie Porcelain and Brass Candlesticks, Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Chinoiserie Porcelain and Brass Figural Two Light Candlesticks, each with blue and white porcelain figure seated on floral base. 12.5" H x 11.25" W x 7.25" D. Provenance: F...
Brass
Sold
H 9.06 in W 4.45 in D 4.45 in
Dutch Delft Blue and White Hand-Painted Ceramic Tulip-Shaped Candlesticks
By Royal Delft
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
This elegant pair of tulip-shaped candlesticks was handcrafted by Royal Delft (De Porceleyne Fles), the oldest surviving Delftware factory, established in 1653. Known for its exquisi...
Ceramic, Earthenware, Delft
Sold
H 9.25 in W 9.5 in D 4.5 in
Pair of Vintage Chinoiserie Monkey Lotus Candleholders, Painted Resin
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
A whimsical and highly decorative pair of vintage Chinoiserie monkey candleholders, modeled as seated monkeys presenting lotus-form candle cups on outstretched arms. Designed as comp...
Resin
Sold
H 7 in W 4 in D 3.5 in
Pair Antique Gold Bronze Chinoiserie Candlesticks with Elephants, Circa 1910's.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair Antique Gold Bronze Chinoiserie Candlesticks with Elephants, Circa 1910's.
Bronze
Sold
H 7.25 in W 7.5 in D 3.25 in
Vintage 1970s Fitz & Floyd Porcelain Elephant Candlesticks Candle Holders 7.5"
Located in Dayton, OH
Circa 1970's Fitz & Floyd chinoiserie style white porcelain single taper candlestick holders in the shape of Indian elephants with curled trunks, draped in lime green saddlecloths with cobalt blue trim / details. Made in Japan. "Founded by Pat Fitzpatrick and Bob Floyd in Dallas in 1960, the ceramics company that bears their names started out as an import company. It soon expanded into creating and designing ceramic giftware, and Fitz and Floyd moved into tabletop products and accessories like candlesticks, plates, and teapots later in the 1960s. The company's hand-painted ceramic gift lines were developed in the 1970s, and the reputation of Fitz and Floyd grew due to the quality of its work and the creative pieces for which the company became known. The company’s in-house design staff developed themes around which entire collections were built. Among their most popular creations were their animal-themed teapots and their pots de creme cups...
Porcelain
Sold
H 6.75 in W 5.5 in D 3.75 in
2 Mottahedeh Stately Homes Sir Humphrey Wakefield Famille Rose Candlesticks 7"
By Mottahedeh
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of late 20th century pair of porcelain candlesticks by Mottahedeh from the Stately Homes - Sir Humphrey (Humphry) Wakefield series. Rectangular base with turned single taper hol...
Porcelain
19th Century F. Barbedienne Bronze Champlevé Enamel Candlesticks
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
A fine pair of champlevé enamel candlesticks in a chinoiserie style by Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810 - 1892), made in Paris ca.1880. Signed "F. Barbedienne" They are an example of the ...
Bronze, Enamel
Nelson Rockefeller Collection Asian Inspired Brass Candlesticks
By Mottahedeh
Located in Atlanta, GA
Asian Inspired Brass Candlesticks or Prickets, from The Nelson Rockefeller Collection, and produced by Mottahedeh, India, circa 1970s. In the 1970s ...
Metal, Brass
Russian Blue and White Porcelain Double Horse Candle Holder
Located in Elkhart, IN
A wonderful blue and white porcelain double horse candle holder. Russia, Late-20th Century Measures: 6.5"W × 2.13"D × 6.88"H Excellent original v...
Porcelain
Pair of Chinese Bronze Ho Ho Boy Candle Stands, C. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
These early 20th century candlesticks are cast of bronze in the form of two young boys dressed in flowing garments and standing on square pedestal bases. Each boy holds a dish for ta...
Bronze
Chinoiserie Cast Iron Figurative Candle Holders, Pair
Located in Elkhart, IN
A wonderful pair of cast iron Chinoiserie candle holders. 20th Century Measures: 3.75"W × 3.75"D × 8.75"H Excellent original vintage condition. Minor surface wear expected w...
Iron
Ceramic Chinoiserie Flame Stitch Candle Stick Holders - A Pair
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A pair of ceramic pastel pink, blue and purple candlestick holders. Each piece is round and created from ceramic. The exterior of each candle holder...
Ceramic, Paint
Pair of Bronze and Ormolu Regency Period China-Men Candlesticks
Located in London, GB
A pair of early 19th century Regency period bronze and ormolu Candlesticks, in the form of well-cast Chinamen holding engine turned moulded nozzles and floral drip pans, supported on...
Bronze, Ormolu
Sold
H 7.75 in Dm 3.75 in
Tall Trompe L'OeilGrand Millennial Gold Gilt Tassel Candlestick Holders, Pair
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A pair of tall Grand Millennial gold tassel candlestick holders. Each gilt holder is tall, in a Trompe l'oeil tassel motif. This set will be the per...
Paint
Antique Chinese Candleholder in Wood, 19th Century
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful and antique 19th century Chinese candle holder. The Chinese candle holder was made of fine wood painted black, has the shape of a cube, ...
Wood