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.
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Granite
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Paint, Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
1980s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Pottery, Paint
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
20th Century American Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Plastic, Paint
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ironstone
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Terracotta
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Paint, Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Creamware
2010s German Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Pottery
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
19th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 17th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Faience, Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Metal, Brass
Late 19th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Marble
Late 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass
Early 20th Century British Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain, Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wicker
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Leather
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ironstone
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Paint
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Pearlware
1850s Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Faience
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Gold
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 20th Century European Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Soapstone
2010s German Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1920s English Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Metal
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass
2010s German Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Gesso, Glass, Wood, Paint
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze