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.
1980s Big Brass Cloisonne Enamelled Chinoiserie Ginger Jar Table Vase Exotic #1
Located in London, GB
A large decorative ginger jar vase from the 1980s, crafted from brass cloisonné hand-painted in a chinoiserie style. The jar features a domed lid, its surface has been decorated ove...
Brass
1980s Big Brass Cloisonne Enamelled Chinoiserie Ginger Jar Table Vase Exotic #2
Located in London, GB
A large decorative ginger jar vase from the 1980s, crafted from brass cloisonné hand-painted in a chinoiserie style. The jar features a domed lid, its surface has been painted over ...
Brass
1980s Big Brass Cloisonne Enamelled Chinoiserie Ginger Jar Table Vase Exotic #3
Located in London, GB
A large decorative ginger jar vase from the 1980s, crafted from brass cloisonné hand-painted in a chinoiserie style. The jar features a domed lid, its surface has been decorated ove...
Brass
Polychrome Enamel Rococo Revival Vases for Baccarat c1895 on Chinoiserie blanks
Located in Worcester Park, GB
Superb pair of Polychrome Enamel Vases by Baccarat c 1895, The decoration is classic Rococo revival with broken arches in greens, blues, yellows and gold with sprays of flowers. The ...
Crystal
French Pierre Cardin Pink Flower Glass Vase, Signed, 1980s
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Gorgeous decorative chic glass vase in light pink - rose color, made of glass. With original label "Pierre Cardin" and signature "Pierre Cardin" engraved in the glass (see all pictu...
Glass
$625Sale Price|50% Off
H 6.25 in Dm 3.5 in
Art Nouveau Style Art Glass Vase Signed Contemporary, circa 1980s
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful contemporary art glass vase in the Art Nouveau style, by artist Robert Eickholt, circa 1980s. Vase is signed "Eickholt" and dated "1988" on bottom as shown in last t...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Set of Four Lobmeyr Hand-Painted & Gilded Polychrome Enamel Candlesticks
By J.L Lobmeyr
Located in Great Barrington, MA
It is rare to find any candlesticks in this pattern, made by Lobmeyr but here is a set of four. Perfect for a large table, each one is hand blown crystal, panel cut and uniquely hand...
Crystal
$695
H 10.25 in W 4.75 in D 4.75 in
Chinoiserie Dutch Delft Faience Floral Lidded Vase Ginger Jar, circa 1920
Located in Pearland, TX
A lovely petite antique Delft Chinoiserie faience cobalt blue and white lidded vase by Boch Keramis, a well-known Belgian maker, circa 1920. Signed on the reverse. This gorgeous vase...
Ceramic
Val Saint Lambert Organic Vibrant Pink Glass Vase, Belgium 1980s
Located in Rijssen, NL
This sculptural pink and clear glass vase was produced by Val Saint Lambert, the prestigious Belgian crystal manufacturer founded in 1826 in Seraing, Belgium. The vase dates from the...
Glass
Mid Century Vintage Dark Red Vase, Europe, 1980s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Vase - designed by Jerzy SŁUCZAN-ORKUSZ (1924-2002) Vintage glass in very good condition. The vase looks like it has just been taken out of the box. No jags, defects etc. Only one u...
Glass
Italian Venetian Murano Glass Vase, Red and 24-karat Gold Sommerso, 1980s
Located in Villaverla, IT
Italian Murano glass footed vase crafted during the nineteen eighties showcases opulent late-twentieth-century Venetian art glass design. Handcrafted in Italy, this substantial vesse...
Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass, Glass
Mid Century Baccarat Style Trumpet Vase Cut Crystal
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Trumpet Vase, Cut Glass, Decorative Flower Pot, Mid Century A Baccarat styler cut glass decorative flower pot, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1945 This wonderful, supe...
Crystal
Mid-Century Modern Trumpet Vase, Cut Crystal, Baccarat Style, 1955
Located in Roma, IT
1950s French Baccarat Style Trumpet Vase Cut Crystal A Baccarat styler cut glass decorative flower pot, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1955 This wonderful, superb example of c...
Crystal
Baccarat Handblown Tall Crystal Vase with Intaglio Wheel Cut Fruit Motif
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is a familiar wheel cut motif that Baccarat used on vases and tazzas and this is beautifully executed on this tall vase. The solid and substantial clear blank is elegantly decor...
Crystal
Baccarat Crystal Number One Figurine, French Glass Art, 20th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large number One crystal figurine by Baccarat. Perfect for that special person in your life.
Crystal
$560Sale Price|20% Off
H 8.46 in Dm 5.12 in
Serving bottle, opaline glass, enamel fantasy decor painting, France, 1895
Located in Wien, AT
Wonderful serving bottle, opaline glass, a very nice piece from the early Jugendstil era, made in France, around 1895 /1900. This mouth blown opaline glass is very thick - a high q...
Enamel
Ernest Baptiste Leveille Chinese Deity Vase for Baccarat c1890 -Signed
By Ernest Baptiste Leveille, Cristalleries De Baccarat
Located in Worcester Park, GB
Fabulous and important, gilded, Baccarat vase by Ernest Baptiste Leveille. It is in the Chinoiserie style dating around 1880. Depicting, in gilt, on one side a Chinese lady carrying ...
Crystal
Sold
H 8.67 in Dm 3.15 in
Baccarat pair Crystal Clair de Lune footed vases designed by Eugene Rousseau
By Baccarat
Located in Worcester Park, GB
An very important and rare pair of Baccarat Chinoiserie vases on original Baccarat gilt bronze stands -in fabulous condition for their age. The vases are in the Baccarat classic pale...
Crystal
Pair of Imari Ceramic Vases
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Pair of Imari ceramic vases floral decoration, circa 1900 without restorations and in perfect condition Origin China.
Ceramic
1960s Imperial Glass Shoji Gold Large Barware and Glasses Set
Located in Stamford, CT
Extensive 1960s Imperial Shoji gold glass barware and glasses. Overall raised geometric design with 22-karat gold. Set features eight lowball glasses, six h...
22k Gold
Sold
H 9 in W 4.25 in D 4.25 in
Steuben Chinoiserie Quan Yen Figural Art Glass Flower Frog, Pomona Green
Located in Big Flats, NY
A Chinoiserie crystal flower frog of the Quan Yen design in pomona green art glass by Steuben, No. 7133, 20th century, circa 1930. Measures - Ov...
Art Glass
Antique Steuben Jade Green Cut Back Chinoiserie Center Bowl with Peonies
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique early Steuben Corning Museum of Glass handcrafted jade green art glass center bowl (Shape 2852) with chinoiserie acid-cutback Chinese pattern of floral peonies and Chinese...
Glass, Art Glass
1960s Imperial Glass Shoji Gold Large Barware and Glasses Set
Located in Stamford, CT
Extensive 1960s Imperial Shoji gold glass barware and glasses. Overall raised geometric design with 22-karat gold. Set features eight lowball glasses, six h...
22k Gold