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.
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
1930s Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
1920s European Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain, Paint
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Metal
20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Brass, Tôle
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Onyx, Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Tin
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Tin
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Bronze
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Tin
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain, Paint
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Tin
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
2010s German Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
2010s German Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Wood, Paper
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Tin
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Metal
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Bronze, Enamel
17th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Bronze
1890s French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Alabaster, Bronze
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Onyx, Ormolu, Bronze
Mid-19th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Glass, Cut Glass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Enamel
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ironstone
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Clay, Paint
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
1880s British Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Gold, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Early 1900s Asian Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Gold
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Earthenware, Faience
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
1820s English Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ironstone
Early 1900s French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Mid-20th Century East Asian Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Brass, Enamel, Copper
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Bronze