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 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 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
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
$785 / item
Two Brass Lotus Candleholders
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Two Mid-Century brass lotus candle holders, both having three layers of leaves holding a candle cup. One lotus presented on a turn classical ...
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
$531Sale Price / set|25% Off
Pair of Royal Delft Blue and White Hand-Painted Ceramic Candlesticks
By Royal Delft
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
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
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
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
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
19th Century F. Barbedienne Bronze Champlevé Enamel Candlesticks
Located in Stockholm, SE
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
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
$1,011Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
Vintage Asian Chinoiserie Pagoda Bird Cage Lantern
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Add a touch of exotic elegance to your space with this vintage Asian Chinoiserie pagoda bird cage lantern. Crafted in the shape of a traditional pagod...
Metal
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
Chinoiserie Monkey Figurine Resin Candle Holders Green and Pink a Pair
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage monkey decor, Majolica Italian ceramic style monkeys candle holders set of two. Vintage Chinoiserie monkey figurine candle holders in pink, green and cream colors, both Monkeys are holding a lotus flower candle holder. The monkey figurines are made of heavy Resin. These monkey figurine candle holders are definitely a unique vintage find and are in very nice vintage condition. Dimensions each: 9.5ʺW × 4.5ʺD × 9.25ʺH. Inspired by José Cunha...
Resin
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
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
Rare Masons Ironstone Chamber Candle Stick in Fence Japan Pattern, circa 1818
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very rare Ironstone pottery Chamber Stick, made by the Mason's factory at Lane Delph, Staffordshire, England, circa 1818. The chamber stick is circular with a ring handle ...
Ironstone
Vintage Asian Brass Dragon Candelabra
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Make a bold sculptural statement with this monumental vintage brass dragon candelabra. Heavily cast and rich in detail, this striking piece features...
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
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
$550 / set
English Delft Candle Holders
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
Chinese Ceramic 'Shiwan' Oil Lamp / Candle Holder, Green Glaze, c. 1950
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This Shiwan ware oil lamp from the Mid-20th century features a green glaze. Shiwan ware is a style of Chinese pottery from the Shiwanzhen district near Gua...
Ceramic
Vintage 20th Century Majolica Style Monkey With Woven Basket Pedestal Bowls
Located in Charleston, SC
Vintage Majolica Monkey Pedestal Compote, Chimpanzee with Grapes & Basket Dish, French Country Tropical Decor Bohemian, Table Display Holder. This pair of vintage majolica pottery ...
Majolica
Chinese Ceramic 'Shiwan' Oil Lamp / Candle Holder, Green Glaze, c. 1900
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This Shiwan ware oil lamp from the early 20th century features a green glaze. Shiwan ware is a style of Chinese pottery from the Shiwanzhen district near G...
Ceramic
Chinese Ceramic 'Shiwan' Oil Lamp / Candle Holder, Green Glaze, c. 1900
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This Shiwan ware oil lamp from the early 20th century features a green glaze. Shiwan ware is a style of Chinese pottery from the Shiwanzhen district near G...
Ceramic
Herend Porcelain Raspberry Chinese Bouquet Candlestick & Vase Pairing
By Herend
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This candlestick and vase were made by the well known Herend factory of Hungary in approximately 1970 in their signature Chinaoserie style. The pair is composed of porcelain with han...
Porcelain
$230Sale 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
19th Century Asian Cloisonné Incense Burner
Located in Dallas, TX
This 19th Century Asian Cloisonne Incense Burner is a wonderful decorative accent from a bygone era ~ that still works! The process to create...
Bronze, Enamel
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
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
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