Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
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 Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Enamel
Mid-20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Metal
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ironstone
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Brass, Enamel
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
1980s French Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Bakelite
1960s German Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
1990s Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Metal
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Delft
1850s Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Faience
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Metal
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
20th Century English Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Lead
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Paint
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Delft
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
1960s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze
20th Century American Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Wicker
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Terracotta
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Faience, Pottery, Earthenware, Delft
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Metal
1880s English Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Hardwood
Late 17th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Delft
Late 19th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Terracotta
Late 19th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Faience
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Metal
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Metal, Enamel