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 European Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Glass, Paper
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Metal
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Bronze, Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Bronze, Enamel
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Bronze
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Brass
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ironstone, Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Paint
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Clay, Paint
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Opaline Glass
19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Faience
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Brass, Metal
Mid-19th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Terracotta
Early 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Terracotta
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Metal, Enamel
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Paint
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
1820s English Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ironstone
1850s English Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Tin, Brass
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Metal
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Paint
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Bronze
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Paint
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Paint
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
1890s British Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ironstone
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Onyx, Enamel, Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century French Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Crystal, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Enamel
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Tin
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain, Paint
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Enamel
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
1840s German Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Faience