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.
Massive Cloissone Vase of Pastel Crysanthemums
Located in Riverdale, NY
Massive Cloissone Vase of Crysanthemums from the 1950's China. Large in scale with finely hand detailed blooms of pastel crysanthemums, gradient green foliage with a bird in flight a...
Copper, Enamel
$360Sale Price|20% Off
Buddha Sculpture Jade Green Resin
Located in New York, NY
A vintage bright jade green resin seated Buddha, in the Chinoiserie style, circa mid to late-20th century. Dimensions: 4" depth x 3.5" width x 3.38" height ...
Resin
Chinese Ink Box Crafted from Bronze with Character Engravings C. 1900
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A Chinese Ink Box crafted from bronze, with engraved Chinese characters from the early 20th century. This item may also be used to store a collection o...
Bronze
$4,640Sale Price|53% Off
French Chinoiserie Turquoise-Blue Porcelain Encrier Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
The underside of the cherry-blossom decorated palanquin forming the shade over the court figure with phoenix resting on the gilt-bronze mounted carton Pierre panel.
Ormolu
18th Century Dutch Delft Blue and White Ink Well attributed to Anthoni Pennis
By Delft
Located in Hastings, GB
A superb 18th Century Dutch Delft Blue and White Ink Well and Desk Stand attributed to Anthoni Pennis, beautifully decorated in the chinoiserie style. Marked to the base with the Blu...
Pottery
Famille Verte Porcelain Inkwell by Samson
By Samson & Cie
Located in Paris, FR
Small famille verte porcelain inkwell decorated with enameled flowerpots, foliage, and stylized rinceaux. The inkwell is set on a gilt bronze b...
Enamel, Bronze
Crystal Ball Sphere with Chinoiserie Base
Located in New York, NY
A crystal ball decorative sphere decorative object with Chinoiserie wood base, circa late-20th century. A great piece for a shelf, cocktail table, credenza, etc. Very good condition ...
Crystal
Cartier Luxury Red Chinese Dragons Design Card and Envelope Desk Stationery
By Cartier
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Cartier Card and Envelope Set with the Iconic Red Chinese Dragons Jewelry Design. Authentic Luxury Cartier Stationery Card Letter and Envelope R...
Paper
Vintage Chinese Calligraphy Set, Hand-Carved Marble, 1950s Chinoiserie
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Chinese Calligraphy Set 7 Piece Set. Vintage Chinese calligraphy set: Includes marble seal stamp, pen, ink box. The hand carved Chinese Duan ink stone for use with the solid ...
Marble
Cartier Red Chinese Dragons Card and Envelope Set in Luxury Box Desk Stationery
By Cartier
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Cartier Card and Envelope Set with the Iconic Red Chinese Dragons Jewelry Design. Authentic Luxury Cartier Stationery Card Letter and Envelope R...
Paper
Very Large and Fine 19th Century Chinoiserie and Gilt Bronze Inkwell
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine 19th century French Chinoiserie and gilt bronze inkwell with a decorated scene. Fine gilt bronze detail with a patinated Oriental figure in the center and inkpots with mo...
Bronze
Pair of Chinese Ink Boxes crafted from Bronze with Character Engravings, c. 1900
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A pair of Chinese ink boxes crafted from bronze, with engraved Chinese characters from the early 20th century. These items may also be used to store a ...
Bronze
Chinese style blue & gold ceramic inkwell
Located in London, GB
A Chinese style blue and gold ceramic inkwell, with a hinged brass lid, mounted on a reticulated brass base.
Brass
Chinese Abacus by Lotus Flower
Located in Bradenton, FL
A Chinese abacus dating from 1912 to 1949 with The Abacus book by Jesse Dilson. A black lacquered frame secured with brass corners houses 13 bamboo rods, each with five and two black...
Wood
$438Sale Price|35% Off
Italian Richard Ginori Porcelain Tray Parrot Bird on Bamboo Plant Chinoiserie
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful vintage Italian white porcelain jewelry dish/plate/tray by designer Richard Ginori, circa mid-20th century, Italy. Tray vide-poche features a Phoenix parrot...
Porcelain
$325 / set
Pair of Chinese Abacuses by Lotus Flower
Located in Bradenton, FL
A pair of Chinese abacuses dating from 1912 to 1949. A black lacquered frame secured with brass corners houses 13 bamboo rods, each with five and two black wooden beads. The original...
Wood
Japanese Brush Pen Holder, Black Color, Engraved in Wood, 20th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Brush holders, or pen holders, from Japan made of wood at the beginning of the 20th century. Characters and landscapes are engraved in the wood, the color of which is black and the d...
Wood
Gold Porcelain Dragon Jewelry Dishes by Rosenthal
By Rosenthal
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful, set of two (2) German white and gold oval porcelain jewelry dishes with dragon design, signed by designer, for Rosenthal, circa mid-20th century, Germany. Dishes are sig...
Porcelain
Strasbourg Faience Chinoiserie Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
Strasbourg chinoiserie inkwell. Antique double-pot faience handled encrier with quill pot and removeable ink pot and cover and sand pot, both wi...
Faience
Late 19th Century French Treen Inkwell with Pen Holder
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Late 19th century French treen inkwell with pen holder. Elegantly decorated with subtly colored chinoiserie scenes of gardens & bamboo follies. Bra...
Brass
English Pewter Figural Inkwell
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Antique English cast pewter inkwell of an Asian scholar sporting a Fu Manchu mustache and ponytail, fixed to a lacquered wood tray.
Pewter
Chinese Silver Mounted Letter Opener
Located in Middleburg, VA
Chinese Silver Mounted Letter Opener with carved bone horse handle. A charming early 20th-century Chinese letter opener featuring a finely carved b...
Metal, Silver
Fine and Rare Large 19th C Chinoiserie Inkwell with Porcelain Bell and Ink Pot
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine and large 19th century Chinoiserie inkwell with raised decoration and fine gilt bronze mounts. Porcelain inkpots and a porcelain bell.
Bronze
Vintage Asian Cloisonné Desk Set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Bring a touch of worldly, scholarly elegance to your study with this exquisite antique Asian desk set or standish. This remarkable piece showcases meticulous craftsmanship, featuring...
Bronze, Enamel
Missoni Cloissone Vase Large Colors Rare
By Missoni Home
Located in Long Island, NY
Missoni Cloissone Vase Rare . Colorfull Zig Zag .Large . Tube Round 13.5” x 6”
Metal, Metallic Thread
Jewelry Box Rhodonite Quartz Bronze
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful and rare pink and black rhodonite quartz jewelry box with bronze/brass frame and a midnight blue velvet interior, circa early-20th ...
Quartz, Brass, Bronze
Decorative Plate ”Ten-Foot Flowers” by Andy Warhol by Rosenthal
Located in Berlin, DE
Art Plate ”Ten Foot Flowers” 1967 by Andy Warhol. Limited edition by Rosenthal group. Germany, 2002.
Porcelain
19th Century Bronze Dore Napolean Ink Well, France.
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Encrier set with richly-veined Verde Antico marble base mounted with pair gilt-bronze inkwells flanked on either side of a Napolean bust. The marble base with pen tray rest on sh...
Marble, Bronze
$951Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.05 in Dm 12.8 in
Antique 18th Century Dutch Delft Chinoserie Plate w. Peony & Chrysanthemum
By Delft
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This antique 18th Century Dutch Delft Chinoserie plate is a captivating piece of ceramic art that reflects the outstanding craftsmanship and cultural exchange of its time. Originatin...
Faience
$841
H 3.94 in W 11.03 in D 4.73 in
Dorothy Thorpe Midcentury Crystal Lucite American Knot Paperweight Sculpture
Located in Roma, IT
Midcentury crystal Lucite American knot paperweight sculpture. This wonderful piece was designed by Dorothy Thorpe in America during the 1960s. An amazing item with a unique knot ...
Lucite
Yellow Semi Sphere Sculpture in Polished Resin by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
This Geometric sculpture is handmade in polished resin in a variety of colors. It is a modern and colorful piece that will liven up any space. Our Se...
Resin
Geometric Sculpture in Polished Orange Resin by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Geometric sculpture made in polished resin in variety of colors. It is a modern and colorful piece that will liven up any space. This sculpture is very versatile and fun! You can cr...
Resin
$230 / item
H 5.91 in W 5.91 in D 5.91 in
Geometric Sculpture in Polished Tangerine Resin by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Geometric sculpture made in polished resin in variety of colors. It is a modern and colorful piece that will liven up any space. This sculpture is very versatile and fun! You can ...
Resin
Smoke Semi Sphere Sculpture in Polished Resin by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
This Geometric sculpture is handmade in polished resin in a variety of colors. It is a modern and colorful piece that will liven up any space. Our Se...
Resin
$2,343 / item
+ 1 moreH 17.3 in Dm 9.8 in
Firmamento Milano Pillola Table Lamp by Parisotto and Formenton Architetti
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Please note that VAT is not included in the price. Elegant interior lamp designed as an essential element that creates an evocative light of great comfort. A matte ball of simple and pure form, cut in two perfect halves that diffuse reflected and discreet light. The project line is the essentiality that shapes both the aesthetics and the lighting effect. The light is spread from inside the ball, reflected on the inner shell of the dome and spread on the surface of the table on which it is placed. Designed for the living, its light gives a great atmosphere to the home. The unit features a dimmer enabling custom quality and intensity light. Aldo Parisotto and Massimo Formenton graduated in architecture from the IUAV of Venice. In 1990 they founded their own design firm P+F Parisotto+Formenton Architetti. Their research is oriented towards a range of different design themes, through which they have developed wide experience on both the national and international levels. In the design field they developed a collaboration with leading furniture and lighting companies such as cc-tapis, FontanaArte, Mingardo, Minotti Cucine. In the yacht sector the studio worked for Sanlorenzo, Cantiere del Pardo...
Aluminum
Geometric Sculpture in Polished Pearl Resin by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Geometric sculpture made in polished resin in variety of colors. It is a modern and colorful piece that will liven up any space. This sculpture is very versatile and fun! You can cr...
Resin
An Ormolu and Coromandel Lacquer Inkwell, circa 1880
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
An Ormolu and Coromandel Lacquer Inkwell, circa 1880 Chiseled and gilded bronze inkwell composed of a chantered shape tray in Coromandel lacquer, moulded edge in chiselled and gilded...
Ormolu
Sold
H 1.25 in W 7.25 in D 5.5 in
Cartier Gold Buddha Amulet Card and Envelope Set in Luxury Box Desk Stationery
By Cartier
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Cartier Card and Envelope Set with the Iconic Cartier Gold Seated Buddha Pendant Jewelry Design. Authentic Luxury Cartier Stationery Card Letter and Envelope stamped with the iconic ...
Paper
Sold
H 8 in W 10 in D 5 in
Vintage Chinoiserie Burnt Bamboo or Tortoise Bamboo and Rattan Desk Organizer
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A vintage chinoiserie burnt bamboo desk organizer. This piece will be a chic accent to any desk or office space. It is created from burnt bamboo ...
Bamboo, Wood
Sold
H 5.5 in W 9 in D 9 in
19th Century French Louis XVI style Chinoiserie Bronze and Porcelain Inkwell
Located in New York, NY
19th century French bronze inkwell depicts Samurai warriors on horseback wielding spears and flying the Japanese flag and features Chinese export porcelain ...
Bronze
Sold
H 1.5 in W 6.25 in D 2.25 in
Spode circa 1820 Vibrant Shoe or Slipper Inkwell Base, Hand Painted Rare Object
By Spode
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gem of a decorative object perfect for prominent desk or cabinet display by Spode England dating to around 1820. This vibrantly hand painted emerald gr...
Gold, Enamel
Chinese Brush Pen Holder Blue Color Cloisoné 20th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Brush holders, or pen holders, from China made of Cloisoné Ceramic at the beginning of the 20th century. The Decor Patern are Fowers. The Color is blue.
Ceramic
Vintage Solid Brass Dragon Form Chinese Trinket Dish Desk Accessory
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage solid brass dragon form Chinese trinket dish desk accessory. Item featured is raised on feet, ornate detail, very nice vintage, great style and form. Circa Mid 20th Century. ...
Brass
Ceramic Birds Decorative Objects, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A pair of ceramic bird's decorative objects perched on branch, circa late-20th century. Beautiful birds with long tails, perched on branch, with...
Ceramic
Chinese Mid Century Natural Jade Decorative Bowl
Located in Plainview, NY
A rare mid century Chinese natural jade bowl. The beautiful green decorative bowl is finely carved and features amazing details of flourishing lo...
Jade
Chinese Abacus Made by Lotus Flower
Located in Bradenton, FL
A Chinese abacus dating from 1912 to 1949. A black lacquered frame secured with brass corners houses 13 bamboo rods, each with five and two red wooden b...
Wood
Late 19th Century Group of Japanned Papier-mâché Crumb Trays
Located in London, GB
An assortment of 19th century German papier-mâché black and gilt japanned crumb trays. The collection of decorative items comprises of three scalloped e...
Metal
Sold
H 1.78 in W 1.97 in D 1.97 in
Edmé Samson Et Cie Paris Porcelain Hand Painted Chinese Floral Inkwell
By Edmé Samson
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very finely made antique French Paris porcelain inkwell made in the Chinese style by Edmé Samson (French, 1810-1891) and dating from the latter 19th cent...
Porcelain