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.
Italian Hand Painted Red Chinoiserie Ice Buckets 1950’s
Located in Hastings, GB
A superb pair of hand painted and crafted metal Ice Buckets, 1950’s Italian, painted with chinoiserie scenes, and palm tree tops. 30cm Height, 21cm Width, (17.5cm Width excluding ...
Metal
Hollywood Regency Ornate Chinoiserie Polished Brass Bar Cart c. 1955
Located in Saint Louis, MO
This chic bar cart is most certainly not the shy one in the room with an ornate dragon themed frame of golden brass that's attention grabbing without apology...
Brass
Green Floral Ceramic Ice Bucket or Vase with Lid and Rattan Handle - Japan
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A petite ceramic ice bucket with a floral hand-painted design. This small vessel could be used in several ways. It could serve as an ice pail, wine cooler, biscuit holder or even as ...
Ceramic, Rattan, Paint
12 Stevens & Williams Hand Blown Willow Chinoiserie Crystal Water Goblets
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is a rare set of 12 hand blown water goblets made by Stevens and Williams, England, circa 1910. The 8" tall and elegant proportion makes these the go-to glasses for any table se...
Crystal
$275 / set
Porcelain Chinoiserie Coffee Tea Cups
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful set of three (3) porcelain coffee or tea cups, in the Chinoiserie design style, circa late-20th century. Excellent condition, as shown in images an...
Porcelain
$375 / set
Coasters with Chinoiserie Design
Located in New York, NY
An English set of five (5) drinks coasters with Chinoiserie design finished with a black and gold edge, England, circa late-20th century. Scene depicts birds, trees and flowers surro...
Laminate, Cork, Paper
Set of 10 Vintage Square Monogrammed Cocktail Napkins in White and Blue - BBB
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A set of 10 vintage white monogrammed cocktail napkins. This set is beautifully embroidered with the previous owner's monogram of BBB. Dimensions: 6" x 6"
Fabric
$346Sale Price / set|30% Off
8 Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Tumblers White and Black with Asian Symbols
Located in Topeka, KS
Gorgeous set of 8 vintage ceramic tumblers with Asian symbols in black and white. In amazing vintage condition. There are no chips, cracks, or chiggers...
Ceramic
Chinoiserie Black Knobby Iron Tea Cups, a Pair
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A pair of two black iron Chinese teacups with a raised knobby pattern around the body. Dimensions: 2.75" diameter 1.75" tall.
Metal
$1,840Sale Price|20% Off
Mid 20th Century Vintage Bamboo Bar Cart
Located in Augusta, GA
Vintage Bamboo Bar Cart Very rare! Great style! Beautiful design! Perfect condition! Add this piece to any space for lots of style while also b...
Bamboo
A Frank M Whiting silver coaster
Located in London, GB
A large glass and silver wine coaster by Frank M Whiting & co. Minor scratches and patination to the silver otherwise in good original condition. ...
Silver
$840 / set
H 2.5 in Dm 3 in
Set of 12 Deborah Ehrlich Simple Crystal Rocks Glasses, Handblown in Sweden
Located in Accord, NY
Launched with Takashimaya in 1999, these handblown crystal rocks glasses have become a modern classic. Each Deborah Ehrlich piece is designed for t...
Crystal
Brass Bar Cart with Aged Mirror and Leather
By Loyzaga
Located in Mexico, Ciudad de México
The Vendôme Bar Cart is perfect to style any room. That's why it remains one of our bestselling pieces. It is made by our craftsmen in brass, with age mirror and leather making it ...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Italian Square Ice Bucket, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Mid-Century modern Italian square ice bucket, 1970s Mid-Century Italian pear shaped ice bucket in chrome plated silver platter, 1970s A wo...
Brass, Chrome
Italian Modernist Stainless Steel "Pear" Ice Bucket
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Italian Modern brushed stainless steel 'pear-form' ice bucket with white plastic insulated bucket (ca. late 1960s/early 1970s, Italy). Features a textured, sculptural s...
Stainless Steel
$2,355
H 25.6 in W 28.75 in D 17.72 in
1930's Modernist Chromed Art Deco Bar Cart with Mirrors and Cylindrical Handles
Located in Ulm, DE
Strict, simple bar cart Original chrome plating With intermediate shelf, both levels mirrored Original Art Deco, France 1930s Also available as a pair Dimensions: Width: ...
Metal, Chrome
Mid-Century Italian Modern Aluminum "Pear" Ice Bucket
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Italian Modern aluminum 'pear-form' ice bucket with white plastic insulated bucket (ca. late 1960s/early 1970s, Italy). Features a textured, sculptural stem decoration ...
Aluminum
$4,760Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 7.25 in Dm 3.5 in
Ten Moser Gilt Enameled Cobalt Paneled Goblets, C 1930s
By Moser
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning set of ten Moser gilt-enameled cobalt paneled goblets. Each goblet features a unique and striking design, characterized by eight raised cobalt pa...
Crystal
$325 / set
H 2.25 in W 2.88 in D 2.25 in
Set of 6 Italian Porcelain Muti Color Espresso Cups with Stars
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A set of 6 Espresso cups. The set are Italian and in wonderful colors (so your guests never are confused about which espresso is intended for them). Each cup is of a different color and all contain a star pattern. A great house warming gift...
Porcelain
$140 / set
H 5.88 in Dm 1.75 in
Set of 2 Deborah Ehrlich Simple Crystal Champagne Glasses, Hand Blown in Sweden
Located in Accord, NY
Launched with Takashimaya in 1999, these hand blown crystal champagne glasses have become a modern Classic. Each Deborah Ehrlich piece is des...
Crystal
Set of 2 Deborah Ehrlich Simple Crystal Water Glasses, Hand Blown in Sweden
Located in Accord, NY
Launched with Takashimaya in 1999, these hand blown crystal water glasses have become a modern Classic. Each Deborah Ehrlich piece is designed fo...
Crystal
Deborah Ehrlich Small Crystal Bowl, Hand Blown in Sweden
Located in Accord, NY
Each Deborah Ehrlich piece is designed for the extraordinary strength and clarity of Swedish crystal. The simplicity of the design, the thinness of the lip, the quality of the crystal and the perfect weight of this small crystal bowl...
Crystal
Vintage Canton Burnt Bamboo Wicker Trays - Set of 4
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful set of four burnt bamboo chinoiserie gallery trays. This set will be great for displaying liquor or glasses on a bar or credenza. They are created from bent burnt bamboo ...
Bamboo, Rattan, Wood
Imperial Shoji Gold Glass Saki Glasses, Set of 6
Located in Stamford, CT
Set of 6 Imperial Shoji small saki glasses. Overall raised geometric design with 22-karat gold. Each glass measures 2.75" tall and are smaller than the standard lowball shoji glasses...
Glass
Tortoise Bamboo and Rattan Serving Tray or Bar Tray - 1970s
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful hand-crafted tortoise bamboo (or burnt bamboo) and rattan serving tray. Created from pieces of bamboo, this tray is rectangular in form. Each side features a branch of wa...
Bamboo, Rattan, Wood
Sold
H 0.01 in W 5.5 in D 5.5 in
Mid-Century Chinoiserie Embroidered Figural Green Cocktail Napkins, Set of 4
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A set of four mint green linen table or cocktail napkins. The perfect addition to your current barware, this set of cocktail napkins will bring a touch of chinoiserie to any setting....
Fabric
Antique Woven Brown Wicker Cane Cup Holders 1920s, Set of 6
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A set of six antique finely woven cup holders or cup sheaths. This set is from the 1920s and in fabulous condition for its age. Dimensions: 2.75" Tall 3" Diameter.
Wicker, Cane, Rattan
Vintage Chinoiserie Bentwood Rattan and Bamboo 12 Bottle Wine Rack
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A gorgeous vintage chinoiserie burnt bamboo wine rack. Created from bentwood and rattan, this vintage piece will be a showstopper in a kitchen...
Bamboo, Rattan, Wood, Bentwood
Sold
H 10.5 in W 23 in D 13.75 in
Chinoiserie Bamboo Breakfast Bed Tray with Magazine Rack and Cup Holder
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Breakfast in bed never looked so good! A gorgeous burnt bamboo or tiger bamboo bed tray with a magazine rack and cup holder. Created from pieces of bro...
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan, Wood
22-Karat Gold Chinoiserie Themed Rocks Glasses, circa 1960s
By Culver Ltd.
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Vintage and rare rocks glasses by Culver in a delicate Chinoiserie pattern featuring 22-karat gold plating. Beautiful and unique addition for display on your bar cart or formal bar. ...
Gold Plate
Brass Tray with Bamboo Gallery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large rectangular brass tray with brass bamboo gallery - the size and shape are of good size. The Ralph Lauren inspired look works well...
Brass
22-Karat Gold Chinoiserie Themed Rocks Glasses, circa 1960s
By Culver Ltd.
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Vintage and rare rocks glasses by Culver in a delicate chinoiserie pattern featuring 22-karat gold plating. Beautiful and unique addition for display on your bar cart or formal bar.
Gold Plate
Sold
H 6.3 in W 5.12 in D 1.97 in
19th Century French Solid Silver Chinoiserie Ewers, Veyrat, Paris, circa 1830
By Jean Francois Veyrat
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique early 19th century French exquisite and rare solid silver set of three dessert wine ewers in chinoiserie style, of Chinese inspired flask vase shape, standing on a spread-ova...
Silver
Set of 6 Midcentury Gold and Turquoise Blue Cocktail Rocks Glasses
By Cora
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful set of six (6) mid-20th century gold and turquoise blue cocktail rocks' glasses with a chinoiserie design. A great set for any bar, bar cart or entertaining area. Each gl...
Glass