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 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Tin
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1860s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Copper, Enamel
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Tin
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Stone
Early 1900s French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Mid-19th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Enamel, Bronze
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Gold
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ormolu
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Plastic, Plaster, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass
1960s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Onyx, Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
20th Century Korean Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass, Enamel
Late 19th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Marble
20th Century American Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Stone
1950s French Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
2010s German Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood, Paper
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Hardwood
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Mother-of-Pearl
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Jade
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ironstone
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Lacquer
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Paper
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Glass, Cut Glass
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood, Lacquer, Paper
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain, Paint
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Pottery
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Enamel
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1980s Russian Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain, Ceramic
Late 18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Faience
1930s Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Jade
Mid-20th Century East Asian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass, Copper, Enamel
1980s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Granite
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ironstone
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain