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.
1920s European Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Gold Leaf
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Tin
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Tin
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Clay, Paint
2010s German Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Jade, Onyx
Early 20th Century Vietnamese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Tin
2010s German Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
2010s German Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
20th Century French Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Jade, Silver
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Marble
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Earthenware, Faience
1980s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Satinwood
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Stone, Gold
1950s French Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Early 20th Century European Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Soapstone
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Lapis Lazuli, Bronze, Ormolu
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bone, Wood, Lacquer
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze, Ormolu, Enamel
Mid-20th Century East Asian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass, Enamel, Copper
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ormolu, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Early 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Oak
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood, Paper
20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass, Tôle
Mid-19th Century American Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Tin
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1720s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
1980s Russian Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain, Ceramic
19th Century Korean Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Rattan
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Porcelain
1930s Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass, Enamel
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 1900s Asian Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Gold
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ironstone
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wicker