Chinoiserie Urns
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.
20th Century Chinoiserie Urns
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Urns
Porcelain
1920s British Vintage Chinoiserie Urns
Gold, Enamel
1970s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Urns
Gold
Late 19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Urns
Brass, Enamel
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Urns
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Urns
Ceramic
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Urns
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Urns
Porcelain
20th Century English Chinoiserie Urns
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Urns
Porcelain
19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Urns
Faience
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Urns
Ceramic
19th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Urns
Celadon, Porcelain
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Urns
Ceramic, Paint
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Urns
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Urns
Ceramic
1840s German Antique Chinoiserie Urns
Faience
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Urns
Metal
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Urns
Porcelain
20th Century French Chinoiserie Urns
Tin
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Urns
Clay
20th Century British Chinoiserie Urns
Porcelain
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Urns
Bronze
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Urns
Bronze, Enamel
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Urns
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Urns
Lapis Lazuli, Bronze, Ormolu
Early 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Urns
Terracotta
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Urns
Onyx, Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
1960s French Vintage Chinoiserie Urns
Metal, Brass, Enamel