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.
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Metal
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1860s French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Onyx, Ormolu, Bronze
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century American Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Tin
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ormolu
1890s French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
17th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century English Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Pewter
Late 18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Faience
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Lapis Lazuli, Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Korean Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass
Late 20th Century English Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Terracotta
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Metal
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Terracotta
Early 20th Century European Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Soapstone
20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Metal, Brass
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Leather
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
19th Century Korean Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Rattan
1850s English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Tin, Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ironstone
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wicker
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Straw
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Stone, Gold
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wicker
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Porcelain
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ormolu
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ormolu
Early 1800s English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Pearlware
Early 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ormolu, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Onyx, Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
18th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Blown Glass
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ironstone, Wood
1860s French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
1960s French Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Metal, Brass, Enamel
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
18th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Enamel, Ormolu
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Creamware
1850s Austrian Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Enamel, Silver