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.
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ormolu
20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bamboo, Rattan
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass, Enamel
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Metal
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Oak
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ormolu, Bronze
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
1860s French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
20th Century American Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Stone
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Tin
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Paint
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Cherry
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Tin
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain, Paint
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
17th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ormolu, Bronze
1850s Austrian Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Enamel, Silver
20th Century French Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Jade, Silver
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Soapstone, Brass
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ormolu, Bronze
2010s German Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ironstone
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Tôle
1920s European Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Enamel
20th Century French Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Crystal, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu, Bronze
20th Century French Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Tin
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain, Pottery
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Onyx, Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass
1890s French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Alabaster, Bronze
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bone, Wood, Lacquer
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain