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.
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Enamel
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Tin
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain, Wood
Early 20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Paint
1890s British Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ironstone
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Metal
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Paper
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Metal, Enamel
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Bronze
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Paint
20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Majolica
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Earthenware
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Hardwood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Paint
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
18th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Blown Glass
1980s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Delft, Faience
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Brass
20th Century French Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Art Glass
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
19th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
1960s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Enamel
1890s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Enamel
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ironstone
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Metal
Mid-20th Century British Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Bronze, Enamel
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Paint
Mid-20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Delft, Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Enamel, Ormolu
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Earthenware
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
19th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Glass, Paper
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain, Pottery
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Bronze
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Metal, Brass
1690s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Faience
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain, Paint
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic