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.
20th Century English Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
1970s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ironstone
Mid-18th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Oak
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary French Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Crystal
20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass
1950s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Hardwood
1980s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Jade
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Terracotta, Paint
1840s German Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Copper
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bone, Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Mother-of-Pearl, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Stone, Jade, Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 19th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ironstone
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Metal, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Jade, Quartz
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Metal
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Delft
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Earthenware, Faience
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Majolica
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Delft
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Enamel
20th Century French Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Paper
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Jade, Onyx
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1770s Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Delft
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Jade
1860s English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Tin
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ironstone
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Paint
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Porcelain
Early 20th Century British Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
1960s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Rosewood
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Resin
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ironstone
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Earthenware