Chinoiserie Vases
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.
1920s British Vintage Chinoiserie Vases
Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Vases
Metal, Bronze, Enamel
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Vases
Metal
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Vases
Metal, Enamel
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases
Porcelain
Early 1900s Asian Antique Chinoiserie Vases
Gold
Early 20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Vases
Ceramic, Paint
Early 20th Century Vietnamese Chinoiserie Vases
Ceramic
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Vases
Ironstone
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Vases
Ironstone
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Vases
Bronze
1910s English Vintage Chinoiserie Vases
Porcelain
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Vases
Ironstone
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Vases
Ironstone
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases
Porcelain, Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases
Ceramic
1960s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Vases
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Vases
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases
Enamel
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Vases
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Vases
Enamel
20th Century American Chinoiserie Vases
Art Glass
17th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Vases
Ceramic, Porcelain
1910s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Vases
Enamel
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases
Copper, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases
Brass, Enamel
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Vases
Enamel
1910s English Vintage Chinoiserie Vases
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases
Ceramic
1910s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Vases
Enamel
1920s French Vintage Chinoiserie Vases
Porcelain
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Vases
Porcelain
Early 20th Century German Chinoiserie Vases
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Vases
Ceramic, Pottery
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases
Brass, Enamel
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases
Brass
1920s English Vintage Chinoiserie Vases
Pottery
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases
Brass