Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
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.
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Lacquer
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Delft
1950s Thai Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Terracotta
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Majolica, Porcelain, Pottery
1990s Philippine Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass
Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ironstone
1770s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Gold
1770s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1930s British Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Lacquer
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1970s Hong Kong Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
1990s Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Hardwood, Lacquer
1970s French Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Silver Plate, Bronze
Early 2000s Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Metal
Early 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1770s Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Delft
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Metal
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Metal, Brass
Early 19th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood, Lacquer
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Enamel
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Copper, Enamel
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Resin
Mid-20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ironstone
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Jade
19th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Metal
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Delft
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Metal
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ironstone
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1770s Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Delft
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Delft
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Crystal
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass, Enamel
20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-18th Century Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Delft
Mid-18th Century Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Delft
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Jade, Quartz
Early 20th Century British Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Jade
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Delft
20th Century French Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Enamel
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Earthenware
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Delft
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ironstone
1950s Dutch Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Earthenware, Faience
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1960s British Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Gold
Late 18th Century Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Delft
20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1880s English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Paint
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary French Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Crystal