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.
Pair of 19th Century Chinese Blue and White Vases
Located in Chicago, IL
A pair of 19th century Chinese blue and white vases each hand-painted with various scholar's objects including vases filled with chrysanthemums, and flanked by pairs of incense burne...
Porcelain
Blue Pink Ceramic Famille Rose Pastel Chinoiserie Quatrefoil Chinese Vase
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Blue pink and green ceramic porcelain Famille rose quatrefoil Chinese vase. The opening is 5" wide and in a quatrefoil shape. The neck is decorated with pink lotus flowers and an eme...
Ceramic, Paint
$1,400 / item
Blue and White Delft Handled Chinoiserie Vase
By Delft
Located in New York, NY
Blue and white Delft handled chinoiserie vase. Antique Dutch porcelain vase with rich blue flowers and chinoiserie fencing in a lustrous glaze; with scro...
Ceramic
$385Sale Price|30% Off
2 Chinese Chinoiserie Blue & White Lotus Flower Planters Cachepots Jardinières
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of mid to early 20th century blue and white porcelain planters / jardinieres. Round form with flared rim, drain holes, and matching underplates. Decorated by hand with swirling ...
Porcelain
2 Chinese Cloisonne Cobalt Blue Floral Peonies Butterfly Vases Urns 7"
Located in Dayton, OH
Two mid to early 20th century Chinese Cloisonne cobalt blue floral Ponies and butterflies bud vases / mantel vases / baluster shaped urns. Dimensions: 4.25" x 7.25" (D x H)
Metal
Antique Japanese Champleve Cloisonne Enamel Bronze Twin Handle 14" Vessel Vase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Japanese Champleve Cloisonne Enamel Bronze Foo Dog Twin Handle 14" Vessel Vase. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 14.25" H x 9" W x 9" D.
Bronze
Vintage Mottahedeh Chinoiserie Blue and White Flower Frog Tulipiere or Vase
By Mottahedeh
Located in Elkhart, IN
A beautiful blue and white painted porcelain Chinoiserie flower frog, tulipiere vase, or cachepot Portugal, Late-20th Century Measures: 6.75"W x 6.75"D x 3"H. Very good original ...
Ceramic
$490Sale Price|30% Off
Antique French Longwy Emaux Cloisonne Enamel Grapevine Ceramic Cylinder Vase 7"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique French Longwy Emaux cloisonne enameled ceramic mantel vase or urn featuring a cylindrical shape with a floral grapevine / grapes / berries theme. Founded in 1798 in Lorraine...
Porcelain
Vintage Dutch Delft Chinoiserie Flower Frog Tulipiere Vase
Located in Elkhart, IN
A beautiful Chinoiserie flower frog, tulipiere vase, or cachepot Holland, Mid-20th Century Measures: 5.13"W x 5.13"D x 4.5"H. Very good original vintage condition.
Ceramic
Large Black and Gold Chinoiserie Vases, Hand-Painted Wood, c. 1980s
Located in New York, NY
A large and decorative pair of Chinoiserie style vases. The scale is large enough to display these on the floor, or on a large table. These are a graceful shape, with flared top, a...
Wood, Lacquer
Ceramic Famille Verte Green Ceramic Chinoiserie Floral Motif Gord Vases, a Pair
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A pair of ceramic famille verte green chinoiserie vases. Glazed in a beautiful deep green, and decorated with a floral motif of pink chrysanthemums,...
Ceramic, Paint
Delfts Royal Sphinx by Boch Blue and White Porcelain Vase
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous blue and white porcelain vase with a ruffled lip By Delfts for Royal Sphinx by Boch Holland, Circa Mid-20th century Measures: 6" W x 6" D x 12" H Excellent vintage con...
Porcelain
Chinoiserie Style Elephant Handles Glaze Turquoise Ceramic & Terracotta Urn Vase
Located in Miami, FL
Marked glaze ceramic decorative urn, vase in terracotta and elephant handles. Finished in a beautiful warm Turquoise and Brown Hue with smooth Textures. Marked at the Base E and sign...
Ceramic, Terracotta
Large Antique Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Vase Hand-Painted Floral Scene
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
This large antique Chinese Famille Rose vase is a spectacular example of hand-painted Qing-style porcelain, richly decorated with vibrant enamels, gilt accents, and exceptional multi...
Ceramic, Paint
$544Sale Price|20% Off
A dragon motif porcelain vase in seafoam by Tozai, 20th century
By Tozai Home
Located in View Park, CA
A very rare glazed porcelain vase with Chinese dragon motif by Tozai Home, 20th century. This piece glows in ivory white with an embossed decorative pattern in seafoam green, depicti...
Porcelain
19th Century Blue & White Vase
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century blue & white vase features the vivid blues so desirable with the makers of such goods since the 15th century. The blues were derived from cobalt oxide, which interesting...
Ceramic
Italian Ardalt Blue Delfia Chinoiserie Porcelain Vase in Blue and White
Located in Elkhart, IN
A richly decorated blue and white porcelain vase by Ardalt's Blue Delfia line, crafted in Italy during the mid-20th century. The elegant baluster form is adorned with dense floral mo...
Porcelain
Pair Antique Very Large Chinese Porcelain Vases French Gold Ormolu Stands
Located in London, GB
Pair Antique Very Large Chinese Porcelain Vases French Gold Ormolu Stands Porcelain: Chinese, 18th Century Ormolu: French, Late 19th Century Vases...
Ormolu
$503Sale Price|20% Off
Blue White Chinese Porcelain Vase Decorated With Lotus Flowers
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Ovoid blue white porcelain jar decorated with duck and lotus flowers. China republican period
Porcelain
Chinoiserie Famille Noire Black Dragon Vase with Pink and Green Floral Motif
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A tall famille noire chinoiserie vase with a red and green floral motif throughout the body on a black background. Attached to the neck of the vessel, are two green dragon or lion ha...
Ceramic, Paint
Antique Japanese Heavy Moriage Hand Painted Porcelain Oriental Bird Satsuma Vase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Japanese Heavy Moriage Hand Painted Porcelain Oriental Bird Satsuma Vase. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 12.5" H x 6.5 " Diameter
Porcelain
Vintage 30" Japanese Royal Satsuma Hand Painted Porcelain Oriental Dragon Vase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage 30" Japanese Royal Satsuma Decorated Hand Painted Porcelain Oriental Dragon V...
Porcelain
Black Vase with Floral Etching
Located in New York, NY
A 1970s black vase with etched floral detail and band. Asian influence.
Metal
Vintage Chinese Cloisonné Porcelain Enamel Figural Crane and Deer Vase - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinese Cloisonné Porcelain Enamel Figural Crane and Deer Vase - a Pair. Item features removable carved wooden base, crane birds, deer, and flowers throughout, large impressi...
Brass
Pair Orange and White Bird Vases
By Royal Crown Derby Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
Pair orange and white bird vases. Vintage flared vases with transferware design featuring birds such as pheasants, doves, and songbirds among detailed floral and foliage motifs, with...
Porcelain
Vintage Chinese Export Porcelain Bird Painted Cachepot Flower Pot Vase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinese Export Porcelain Bird Painted Cachepot Flower Pot Vase. Vase rests on porcelain decorated base, unique shape, painted bird and floral design throughout, very nice vin...
Porcelain
Victoria Hagan Celadon Gourd Vase
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Victoria Hagan Celadon Vase with Botanical designs. Gorgeous scale and soft Celadon color perfect as a room accent for your Design Project.
Ceramic
$175Sale Price|30% Off
Chinese Ceramic Flower Frog Bonsai Dragon Bud Vase w Cloud Feet 7"
Located in Dayton, OH
Chinese brown terracotta Bonsai flower pot / vase / planter - unglazed surface carved with a swirling five clawed relief dragon and cloud design, cylindrical body, flared mouth. Larg...
Ceramic
$385Sale Price|30% Off
6 Chinese Brass Cloisonne Enameled Floral Vases Brush Bowls Ashtray Dishes
Located in Dayton, OH
Six vintage Chinese cloisonné enamel vases, bowls / ashtrays, and vases featuring a variety of style and patterns, including cherry blossoms, chrysanthemums, peonies, and birds. Eac...
Metal, Brass
$296Sale Price|56% Off
Mason's Ironstone Vase in Blue Hawthorne Pattern, Circa 1830
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is an ironstone Vase in the blue Hawthorne and fence and bowl pattern, made by Mason's Ironstone of Lane Delph, Staffordshire, England, during the first half of the 19th century...
Ironstone
A Chinese Bird Shaped Figural Censor / Vessel, 20th Century
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
A Chinese Bird Shaped Figural Censor / Vessel, 20th Century.
Metal
Antique Japanese Nippon Hand Painted Porcelain Gold Gilt Handle Moon Basket Vase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Japanese Nippon Hand Painted Porcelain Gold Gilt Handled Moon Basket Vase. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 8" H x 7" W x 3" D.
Porcelain
$1,536Sale Price|79% Off
Rare Masons Ironstone Lidded Alcove very large Vase with dragons, Ca 1825
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very rare, highly individual and very decorative, very large Lidded Vase in the Chinoiserie style with applied dragons, made by Mason's Ironst...
Ironstone
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Blue, White and Gold Porcelain Vase
Located in Elkhart, IN
A decorative late-20th-century porcelain vase with an elegant baluster body, flared trumpet neck, and softly periwinkle-blue reserves. Delicate gilt linework depicts flowering vines,...
Porcelain
Vase from China, 20th Century, Blue and White, Porcelain
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Chinese vase, blue cobalt, and white porcelain. 20th century. trees decor pattern.
Porcelain
$350Sale Price|30% Off
Large Mid Century Chinese Chinoiserie Brass Greek Key Mantel Vase Urn 16"
Located in Dayton, OH
Large mid century Chinese chinoiserie style vase / urn featuring an oval form with flared top, lobed reeded body and reticulated pierced Greek Key footed base. Dimensions: 8.75" x...
Brass
$274Sale Price|20% Off
Masons Ironstone Vase in Blue Hawthorne Pattern (No. 2), Circa 1830
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is an ironstone Vase in the blue Hawthorne and fence and bowl pattern, made by Mason's Ironstone of Lane Delph, Staffordshire, England, during the first half of the 19th century...
Ironstone
Meiji Period Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Dark Blue Daisy & Butterfly Tall Urn Vase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Meiji Period Japanese Cloisonne Enamel Dark Blue Daisy & Butterfly Tall Brass Urn Vase. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 12" H x 3.75" Diameter.
Brass, Enamel
$3,150Sale Price|30% Off
Chinese Carved Green & Yellow Jade Pheasant Urn 18"
Located in Dayton, OH
Chinese rectangular lidded mantel vase / urn / sculpture, hand carved of heavy chunks of green / yellow jade with branching flowers, large leaves and a huddled pheasant with curled t...
Jade
Large Pair of Early 20th-Century Chinese Cloisonné Vases, 1910s
Located in Brescia, Brescia
A striking and monumental pair of cloisonné enamel vases, likely Chinese in origin, dating to the early 20th century (circa 1910s). Standing at 51.5 cm in height with a generous 30 c...
Brass, Metal
$437Sale Price|30% Off
2 Chinese Cloisonne Cylindrical Chrysanthemum Butterfly Mantel Vases Urns 13"
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of mid to early 20th-century Chinese cloisonne enamel cylindrical mantel vases/ urns/ hat stands, featuring a red background patterned with interlocking circles behind blue and ...
Metal
$262Sale Price|30% Off
Maitland Smith Red Floral Chinese Cloisonne Mantel Vase Urn 12"
Located in Dayton, OH
Large late 20th century Maitland Smith cloisonné flower vase - red enamel on brass featuring a design of pink / purple flowers.. Turquoise blue interior. Hand Made in China. Dimens...
Metal
Two Monochrome Fish / Floral Decorated Chinoiserie Ceramic Vases, Thailand 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Two patinated ceramic vases, with beautifully crackled glaze, sharp graphic monochrome chinoiserie pattern consisting of fishes / floral branches. Both vases resembles an amphora vas...
Ceramic
Vintage Blue Porcelain Chinese Vase
Located in Paris, FR
A vintage Chinese porcelain vase probably from the 1960's in blue enamel decorated with beautiful flowers and delicate gold handpainted painted details. Signed. We’re an exhibition space and an online destination established by the passionate art...
Ceramic
Baccarat Painted Opaline Glass Vase, France, Late 19th Century
By Baccarat
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Baccarat painted opaline glass vase. France, late 19th century.
Opaline Glass
Vintage Chinese Bronze Hand Painted Bird Crane Oriental Bulbous Bud Vase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinese Bronze Hand Painted Bird Crane Oriental Bulbous Bud Vase. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 6.5" H x 6.5" W x 6.5" D.
Bronze
Country Style Porcelain Vase Hand-Painted Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hands-free painted porcelain vase with a flower decor all around. Rimmed with a platinum rim. Completely made by hand in Bavaria/Germany with a exclusive decor cornflower in blue col...
Porcelain
Chinoiserie Porcelain Vase Hand-Painted Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hands-free painted porcelain vase with a chinoiserie decor all around. Rimmed with a platinum rim. Completely made by hand in Bavaria/Germany with exclusive decors for Sofina Boutiqu...
Porcelain
Chinoiserie Porcelain Vase Hand-Painted Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hands-free painted porcelain vase with a chinoiserie decor all around. Rimmed with a platinum rim. Completely made by hand in Bavaria/Germany with exclusive decors for Sofina Boutiqu...
Porcelain
Mid-Century Asian Cloisonné Mother of Pearl Peacock Vase
Located in West Chester, PA
A lovely vintage Asian cloisonné vase featuring brilliant mother of pearl accents from the mid-20th century. Large scale, having a circul...
Brass, Enamel
Pair of Chinese Republic Period Porcelain Square Vases
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful, hand-painted and glazed pair of square shaped porcelain vases.
Porcelain, Paint
French Chinoiserie Faience Vase
Located in New York, NY
French Chinoiserie Faience vase. Purple, blue, green and yellow baluster vase with gilding and diapering in the chinoiserie style with bugs and butt...
Faience, Pottery
Antique Pair of Chinese Yellow Ground Porcelain Miniature Vases
Located in New York, NY
Lovely pair of miniature Chinese yellow ground porcelain vases with applied plum blossom trees and butterflies. Each Stand on circular rosewood b...
Porcelain
Vintage Chinese Chinoiserie Yellow Porcelain Ceramic Garden Seat w Painted Birds
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinese Chinoiserie Yellow Porcelain Ceramic Drum Garden Seat with Hand Painted Birds. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 17" H x 12.5" W x 12.5" D.
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Black Cloisonne Enamel Butterfly & Flower Bronze Cachepot Vase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Chinese Black Cloisonne Enamel Butterfly & Flower Bronze Bulbous Cachepot Vase. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurements: 11.5" H x 12.5" W x 12.5" D.
Bronze
Chinoiserie Decalcomania Baluster Vase
Located in New York, NY
Continental chinoiserie baluster vase. Very large baluster form chinoiserie vase covered in continental decals made during rage for decalcomania. Europe,...
Glass, Paper
Tall Chinoiserie Cobalt Blue Ceramic Vase with Floral and Bird Motif
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A tall ceramic chinoiserie vase in cobalt blue. We don't often come across deep blue chinoiserie vases, so when we do, we snap them up! This piec...
Ceramic, Paint
Pair of Mason's Chinoiserie Vases
Located in New York, NY
Pair Mason's chinoiserie vases. Small pair orange, blue, green and gilt baluster shaped Ironstone vases with central reveals depicting chinoiserie figures ...
Ironstone
Pair of Green English Vases in the Chinese Style
Located in New York, NY
Pair of green English vases in the Chinese style. Vases in rich green and coral with chinoiserie scenes and floral design with cobalt and gilt ground on ...
Country Style Porcelain Vase Hand-Painted Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hands-free painted porcelain vase with a birds and flower decor all around. Rimmed with a 24 carat gold rim. Completely made by hand in Bavaria/Germany with a exclusive decor for Sof...
Porcelain