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.
Masons Ironstone Large Jug or Pitcher Blue Hawthorne Ptn Rare Shape, Circa 1830
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a large ironstone Jug or Pitcher in the Blue Hawthorne and Fence & Bowl pattern, made by Mason's Ironstone of Lane Delph, Staffordshire, En...
Ironstone
Mason's Ironstone Large Jug or Pitcher in rare Muscove Duck Pattern, circa 1825
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a beautifully hand painted Large Jug or Pitcher in the rare Muscove Duck pattern, made by Mason's Ironstone, Lane Delph, England, dating to circa 1825. This is a one of Maso...
Ironstone
$360Sale Price|20% Off
Mason's Ironstone Jug, Hand-Painted Table and Flower Pot Pattern, Circa 1820
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a hand-painted Mason's ironstone jug or pitcher, in the Table and Flower Pot gilded pattern, from their earliest George 3rd period...
Ironstone
Mason's Ironstone Large Jug or Pitcher in School House Pattern, circa 1820
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a fine and rare, large ironstone pottery jug or pitcher in the Fenton shape made by Mason's Ironstone, of Lane Delph, Staffordshire, England, circa 1820 This is a substantia...
Ironstone
Mason's Ironstone Jug With Chinoiserie Pattern, Royal Blue & Red 1910
Located in Worcester Park, GB
This antique Mason’s Ironstone jug showcases the maker’s hallmark crown stamp with the text “Real Ironstone China.” Produced in England d...
Ceramic, Ironstone
Mason's Ironstone Hydra Large Jug, Basket Pattern, Antique Pitcher, 1830
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very large Mason's Ironstone Hydra Jug or Pitcher in the Basket Japan pattern, made in England during the first half of the 19th Century...
Ironstone
Mason's Ironstone Jug, Octagonal Pitcher, School House Pattern, 1817
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a fine and rare, ironstone pottery jug or pitcher in the School House pattern, made by Mason's Ironstone, of Lane Delph, Staffordshire, England, in the George 111rd period, c...
Ironstone
$272Sale Price|27% Off
19thC Mason's Ironstone Hydra Jug or Pitcher Water Lily Pattern, circa 1880
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good jug or pitcher by Mason's ironstone, England, circa 1880. The jug has the Hydra shape with the snake heads handle with lower spur. This jug has one of the very...
Ironstone
Masons Ironstone Jug or Pitcher Conversation Ptn rare shape, Georgian Ca 1825
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a superb Ironstone Jug or Pitcher made by the English Mason's Ironstone factory, dating to the late Georgian period, circa 1825. The jug shape and pattern colorway are both ...
Ironstone
Vintage Occupied Japan Bronze Metal Red Lacquered Bulbous Pitcher by Marumi
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Occupied Japan Bronze Red Lacquered Bulbous Pitcher by Marumi. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 11.25" H x 4.75" W x 4.75" D.
Bronze
Vintage Glazed Ceramic Monkey Pitcher
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This charming vintage glazed ceramic monkey pitcher, designed by Raymond Waites for the "Safari" collection by Certified International, is a masterclass...
Ceramic
Mason's Ironstone Desert Plate, Oriental Pheasant Pattern, Circa 1818
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very decorative Desert Plate by Mason's Ironstone, Lane Delph, England in the Oriental Pheasant pattern, dating to the early period of Maso...
Ironstone
$579
H 1.3 in W 14.25 in D 11.15 in
Mason's Ironstone Large Platter, Table & Flowerpot Pattern, Circa 1818
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good hand painted Mason's ironstone large Platter or Meat Plate, in the Table and Flowerpot gilded pattern, from their earliest George IIIrd period, circa 1818. The p...
Ironstone
$268
H 1.25 in W 9 in D 9 in
Antique Mason's Ironstone Imari Pattern Finest Gilding and Sculpted Plate
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Antique Mason's ironstone Imari pattern finest gilding and sculpted plate, English, 19th century. Highest quality.
Ceramic
$388
H 5.25 in W 5.2 in D 4.4 in
Masons Ironstone Jug or Pitcher in Basket Japan Pattern, Georgian circa 1818
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good, very early Mason's Ironstone Hydra jug or pitcher in the Basket Japan pattern, made in the English, late Georgian period, circa 1815-1820. This jug is very decorativ...
Ironstone
$611Sale Price|30% Off
H 1 in Dm 9.5 in
Antique Mason's Ironstone Plate – Blue Willow Pattern, Circa 1820
Located in Worcester Park, GB
This exceptional ceramic plate is a fine example of early 19th-century English pottery, produced by the renowned Mason’s Ironstone China around 1820. Featuring the iconic Blue Willow...
Ceramic
C. 1880 Set of 4 Highly Decorative Mason's/Ashworth Ironstone Plates
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1880 set of 4 Mason's/Ashworth Ironstone Plates. A highly decorative set of Ashworth's Brothers "Real Ironstone China" in swirlling floral & geometric pattern. The pattern ...
Ironstone
Circa 1813-1820 English Pair of Mason's Imari Palette Plates
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
1813-1820 Pair of Mason's Imari Palette Plates, English. Ever so slightly scalloped form. Impressed "Mason's Patent Ironstone China" mark. Japanese vase & flowers pattern. Minor ...
Ironstone
Mason’s Vista Ironstone Pitcher, Red Transferware, England, 1940s
Located in Coral Gables, FL
A beautifully decorative Mason’s ironstone pitcher in the classic Vista pattern, made in England and richly decorated in red transferware over a warm cream ground. This elegant jug f...
Ceramic
Large Victorian Minton Majolica Lily Jug/Pitcher
By Minton
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Minton Majolica jug/pitcher which features flowering lilies and lily pads. Colouration: green, white, dark pink, are predominant. The piece bears maker's marks for the Minton pottery...
Majolica
French Terracotta Glazed Polychrome Jug or Pitcher, circa 1900
Located in Labrit, Landes
The piece is distinguished by its polychrome decoration with marbled and dripped effects, blending shades of cream, ochre, brown, and green on a light yellow background. The glossy g...
Terracotta
$294Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.9 in Dm 9.5 in
Mason's Ironstone Dinner Plate, Blue Chinese Dragon Pattern, Circa 1818
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is an early Mason's ironstone pottery Dinner Plate in the rare blue and white Chinese Dragon pattern, circa 1818. The plate is circular with a notched indented rim. This plate is decorated in one of the rare patterns called "Chinese Dragon" as documented on page 116 of "A Guide to Mason's Patent Ironstone Patterns, c 1813 to c 1848," published by The Masons Collectors' Club. The pattern is transfer printed under-glaze in different shades of Cobalt Blue. The base of the plate has a large crown blue...
Ironstone
$435
H 11 in Dm 8.5 in L 11 in
Antique English Aesthetic Movement Large Ironstone Brown & White Pitcher
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An oversized ironstone pitcher in the Aesthetic Taste, made by Holmes, Plant & Mayday at The Sylvester Pottery Works – Burslem, Staffordshire, England, date marked 1882. Charmin...
Ironstone
C. 1830-48 Mason's Ironstone Red Scale Chinoiserie Jug
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1830-48 large Mason's ironstone red scale Chinoiserie jug or pitcher, English. Marked in black: Mason's Patent Ironstone China; with swag banner & crown. Octagonal with twig ha...
Pottery
Paragon "Rockingham" Hand-Painted Bone China Creamer
By Paragon
Located in Worcester Park, GB
This charming bone china creamer by Paragon is a beautiful example of English porcelain artistry. The "Rockingham" pattern features an exquisitely hand-painted and richly detailed de...
Porcelain
Sold
H 5.7 in W 6.25 in D 3.8 in
Georgian Masons Ironstone Jug or Pitcher in Japan Basket Pattern, circa 1818
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is an early, decorative Mason's Ironstone Jug or pitcher, made at their Lane Delph factory, Staffordshire Potteries, England, in the early 19th century, George 111rd period, cir...
Ironstone
Sold
H 7.2 in W 4.75 in D 3.75 in
Rare Masons Ironstone Jug or Pitcher (B) in Bandana Ptn, Exhibition mark 1851
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a rare shape jug or pitcher made by Mason's Ironstone pottery in the Bandana pattern and made for the 1851 Exhibition, as supported by the printed mark on the base. The jug ...
Ironstone
Sold
H 7.9 in W 5.2 in D 4.3 in
Rare Masons Ironstone Jug or Pitcher (A) in Bandana Ptn, Exhibition mark 1851
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a rare shape jug or pitcher made by Mason's Ironstone pottery in the Bandana pattern and made for the 1851 Great Exhibition of London, as supported by the printed mark on the...
Ironstone
Sold
H 4.6 in W 5 in D 3.1 in
Georgian Masons Ironstone small Jug or Pitcher in School House Pattern, Ca 1815
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a fine and rare, ironstone pottery jug or pitcher in the School House pattern, made by Mason's Ironstone, of Lane Delph, Staffordshire, England, in the George 111rd period, c...
Ironstone
Sold
H 4.35 in W 4 in D 3.5 in
Masons Ironstone Jug or Pitcher in Blue Chinese Dragon Pattern, 19th Century
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good small Hydra jug or pitcher, made by Mason's Ironstone, England in the Chinese Dragon Pattern and dating to the 19th century, circa 1880. The jug is octagonal in ...
Ironstone
Sold
H 6 in W 5.5 in D 4.9 in
Mason's Ironstone Hydra Jug or Pitcher in the Jardinière Pattern, circa 1870
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good Ironstone hydra jug or pitcher in the jardinière pattern and made by Mason's Ironstone, England, circa 1870. The pattern is a known Mason's chinoiserie pattern...
Ironstone
Majolica Ceramic Green and Yellow Gurgle Fish Serving Pitcher
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A ceramic chinoiserie Majolica gurgle fish pitcher. A great serving piece for a lunch table, or side table, this bright colorful pitcher will br...
Ceramic, Paint
Mason's Ironstone Jug or Pitcher in Basket Japan Pattern, circa 1900
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good, Mason's Ironstone Hydra jug or pitcher in the Basket Japan pattern, made in the England, Circa 1900. This jug is very decorative a...
Ironstone
Rare Mason's Ironstone Jug or Pitcher in Bandana Pattern, circa 1840
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a rare shape jug made by Mason's Ironstone pottery. The jug is decorated with the chinoiserie influenced "BANDANA" pattern, showing Foo or Lion Dogs among clouds, all in bo...
Ironstone
Sold
H 6.4 in W 5.5 in D 5 in
Georgian Mason's Ironstone Hydra Jug or Pitcher Water Lily Pattern, circa 1817
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a beautiful, early jug or pitcher in the highly collected Water Lily pattern, made by Mason's Ironstone, England, circa 1817. The jug has the Hydra shape with the snake he...
Ironstone