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.
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Jade, Brass
1970s French Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Silver Plate, Bronze
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Stone, Jade, Brass
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Delft
Early 20th Century British Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass, Tôle
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ironstone
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Earthenware
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Earthenware
Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bone, Wood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Jade
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass
1890s Russian Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Silver
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass
Mid-20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Jade
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Jade, Quartz
1890s Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Copper
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
18th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ormolu
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass
Mid-20th Century Korean Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Enamel
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ironstone
1960s British Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Gold
Late 19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Pottery
Mid-20th Century Korean Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Celadon, Pottery
Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Gesso, Shell, Wood
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ironstone
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
20th Century English Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Faience, Pottery, Earthenware, Delft
18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Pottery
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Pottery, Terracotta
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ironstone
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1960s Burmese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Paint, Paper
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary French Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Crystal
Late 18th Century Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Delft





