Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
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.
1970s French Vintage Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Silver Plate, Bronze
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Resin
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Jade
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Wood
Early 20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Jade
21st Century and Contemporary French Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Crystal
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
Early 2000s Spanish Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain
20th Century Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
1940s Southeast Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Brass
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Terracotta
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Plastic, Plaster, Paint
1970s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
Late 19th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Metal
19th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Gesso, Shell, Wood
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Terracotta, Walnut
1960s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Terracotta, Paint
1850s English Antique Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Pottery, Paint
20th Century German Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Ceramic, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Pottery
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Enamel
20th Century American Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Ceramic, Paint
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Wood
1950s Thai Vintage Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Terracotta
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Giltwood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
20th Century Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Wood
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Marble
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Ceramic, Paint
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Brass
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
17th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
1950s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Gesso, Glass, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Laotian Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Paper, Plaster, Paint
20th Century American Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Ceramic
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Plaster, Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Resin
1720s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Ceramic
20th Century Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Hardwood
18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures
Wood