Chinoiserie 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.
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Sculptures
Pottery
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Sculptures
Ceramic
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Sculptures
Gesso, Shell, Wood
1970s French Vintage Chinoiserie Sculptures
Silver Plate, Bronze
1970s Hong Kong Vintage Chinoiserie Sculptures
Bronze
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Sculptures
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Sculptures
Resin
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Sculptures
Jade
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Sculptures
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Sculptures
Jade, Quartz
Early 20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Sculptures
Jade
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Sculptures
Ceramic, Paint
1970s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Sculptures
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Sculptures
Wood
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Sculptures
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Sculptures
Jade, Quartz
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Sculptures
Copper
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Sculptures
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary French Chinoiserie Sculptures
Crystal
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Sculptures
Ceramic
Early 2000s Spanish Chinoiserie Sculptures
Porcelain
20th Century Austrian Chinoiserie Sculptures
Art Glass
20th Century Chinoiserie Sculptures
Bronze
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Sculptures
Terracotta
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Sculptures
Brass
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Sculptures
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Sculptures
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Sculptures
Ceramic
1940s Southeast Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Sculptures
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Sculptures
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Sculptures
Resin
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Sculptures
Enamel
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Sculptures
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Sculptures
Ceramic
1970s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Sculptures
Bronze
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Sculptures
Porcelain
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Sculptures
Gesso, Shell, Wood
Early 20th Century German Chinoiserie Sculptures
Porcelain
Late 19th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Sculptures
Metal
Late 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Sculptures
Porcelain
19th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Sculptures
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Sculptures
Metal
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Sculptures
Stone
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Sculptures
Ceramic, Porcelain
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Sculptures
Terracotta, Walnut
20th Century American Chinoiserie Sculptures
Stone
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Sculptures
Ceramic, Paint
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Sculptures
Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Sculptures
Pottery
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Sculptures
Plastic, Plaster, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Sculptures
Terracotta, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Sculptures
Jade
1960s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Sculptures
Porcelain
20th Century Chinoiserie Sculptures
Jade
20th Century German Chinoiserie Sculptures
Porcelain
1850s English Antique Chinoiserie Sculptures
Pottery, Paint
19th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Sculptures
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Sculptures
Glass, Wood, Paper
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Sculptures
Wood
1960s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Sculptures
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Sculptures
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Sculptures
Enamel
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Sculptures
Rattan, Wood, Wicker
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Sculptures
Pottery
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Sculptures
Stone
Late 19th Century Brazilian Antique Chinoiserie Sculptures
Porcelain
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Sculptures
Pottery
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Sculptures
Porcelain, Paint
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Sculptures
Bronze
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Sculptures
Ceramic