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.
Late 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain, Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 20th Century French Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ironstone
1890s Russian Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Silver
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century East Asian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass, Enamel, Copper
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ironstone
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Porcelain
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Giltwood, Lacquer
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze, Enamel
1690s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1720s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1960s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1720s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1720s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood, Paper
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1860s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Copper, Enamel
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Pottery, Terracotta
20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Metal
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Metal
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Terracotta
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Earthenware
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Metal, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood, Paper
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Metal
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood, Paper
1950s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Lacquer
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Other
20th Century American Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Stone
20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
1890s French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Paper
1890s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Pine, Lacquer
20th Century French Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 20th Century European Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Silk
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Metal, Brass, Enamel
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Composition
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze, Enamel
20th Century French Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Early 1900s French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze, Ormolu