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Chinoiserie Pottery

CHINOISERIE STYLE

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.

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Style: Chinoiserie
Georgian Masons Ironstone large Dinner Plate in Vase & Rock gilded Ptn, Ca 1818
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very decorative ironstone pottery Large Dinner Plate produced by the Mason's factory at Lane Delph, Staffordshire, England, circa 1818. The plate is circular with a wavy i...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Ironstone

Early Coffee Cup Blue and White Boy on a Buffalo Ptn probably Spode, circa 1790
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good, very early, rare blue and white coffee cup in the "Boy on a Buffalo" pattern, probably from the factory of Josiah Spode, stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, England, made...
Category

Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Earthenware

Pair of Chinoiserie Delft plates. England C1760
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A pair of plates painted with a pagoda in a garden after a contemporary Chinese model. English Delftware is considered to be one of the most important forms of English ceramic produ...
Category

Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Earthenware

Delft charger, with Chinoiserie Decoration. England C1760.
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A fine and large charger, with typical polychrome decoration. English Delftware is considered to be one of the most important forms of English ceramic production of the period, and ...
Category

Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Earthenware

Mason's Ironstone Large Dinner Plate in Bandana Pattern, circa 1900
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good, large dinner plate by Mason's ironstone, England in the Bandana pattern, dating to circa 1900. The Plate is circular in shape with a wavy moulded edge. This pl...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Ironstone

Georgian Masons Ironstone Dinner Plate in Vase & Rock gilded Pattern, Ca 1818
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very decorative ironstone pottery Plate produced by the Mason's factory at Lane Delph, Staffordshire, England, circa 1818. The plate is c...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Ironstone

Very early Turners Patent Ironstone Plate in Water Lily & Willow Ptn, Ca 1803
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a finely hand painted Stone China ( Ironstone) Plate or Dish made by John Turner of Lane End, Staffordshire very early in the 19th Century, Circa 1800 to 1806. The piece is ...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Ironstone

Georgian period Masons Ironstone Mug in Basket Japan Pattern, circa 1820
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good Ironstone pottery mug made by the English factory of Mason's Ironstone, fully marked and dating to the early 19th century, circa 1820. Early Mason's mugs tend to be f...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Ironstone

1874 Minton Chinese Blue and White Transferware Platter
Located in Sheffield, MA
An antique 19th century Minton Chinese blue and white transferware platter. It has a lovely pastoral scene. The underside is marke...
Category

19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Pottery

Georgian Masons Ironstone Sauce Tureen & Base Plate Vase & Rock Ptn, circa 1818
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very decorative ironstone pottery Sauce Tureen complete with cover lid and base plate, produced by the Mason's factory at Lane Delph, Staffordshi...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Ironstone

Blue and white Swansea Willow pattern plate
By Dillwyn
Located in East Geelong, VIC
This blue and white Swansea earthenware plate is decorated with their transfer printed standard Willow pattern. It is in very good condition, but does h...
Category

1810s English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Earthenware

Mason's Ironstone Tea Cup Hand Painted in Gilded Water Lily Pattern, circa 1835
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a beautiful, early Tea Cup in the highly collected Water Lily pattern, made by Mason's Ironstone, England, circa 1835. This cup has one of the highly decorative and sought...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Ironstone

Antique Masons Ironstone Platter in Red Peony and Scrolls Pattern, Circa 1835
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This Ironstone pottery Platter was made by the Mason's factory at Lane Delph, Staffordshire, England and is decorated in the Red Peony & Scrolls pattern, dating to the 19th century, ...
Category

19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Ironstone

Rare Mason's Ironstone Coffee Can in Basket Japan Pattern, circa 1890
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is an ironstone coffee can or cup in a rare shape, hand enameled in the Basket Japan pattern, made by Mason's Ironstone of Lane Delph, Staffordshire,...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Ironstone

Rare Mason's Ironstone Coffee Can and Saucer in Bandana Pattern, circa 1890
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is an ironstone duo of a coffee can or cup and saucer in a rare shape, hand enameled in the Bandana pattern, made by Mason's Ironstone of Lane Del...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Ironstone

Mason's Ashworth's Ironstone Teapot in Old Japan Vase Pattern, circa 1875
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a beautiful Teapot made by Mason's Ironstone during the mid-19th century, when Mason's was owned by Ashworth Brothers, circa 1870. It has ...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Ironstone

Georgian Mason's Ironstone Jug or Pitcher in Table and Flower Pot Ptn, Ca 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...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Ironstone

19th Century English Blue Willow Square Serving Dish Lidded Tureen
Located in Pearland, TX
A superb antique English Staffordshire transferware serving dish / covered vegetable casserole dish / lidded tureen in the classic Blue Willow pattern, circa 1820. This fine dish has...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Ceramic

Rare Mason's Ironstone Fenton Jug or pitcher in Tree Peony Pattern, Circa 1840
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good ironstone pottery jug or pitcher made by Mason's, of Lane Delph, Staffordshire, England, circa 1840. The shape, pattern and base markings are all rare. This jug ha...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Ironstone

Georgian Mason's Ironstone Side Plate in Table and Flower Pot Pattern, Ca 1818
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a hand-painted Mason's ironstone side plate, in the Table and Flower pot gilded pattern, from their earliest George 3rd period, circa 1818.  This plate is well painted in the Chinoiserie pattern called the Table and Flower Pot pattern...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Ironstone

Rare Pair Mason's Ironstone Miniature Vases Fence Rock & Gold Flower Ptn Ca 1820
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a fine and rare pair of miniature Mason's ironstone Vases or Urns, hand painted in in the beautiful "Fence, Rock and Gold Flower" pattern, which ...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Ironstone

Rare Mason's Ironstone Miniature Urn in Gold Rose Japan Pattern, circa 1820
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a rare miniature Mason's ironstone Lidded Urn or Vase in the beautiful Gold Rose Japan pattern, which we date to circa 1820. Miniature or toy items of Masons ironstone are...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Ironstone

Baluster-Form Saltglaze Teapot, Decorated with Faulous Beasts, England, C1745
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
In salt-glazed stoneware, crisply moulded with fabulous beasts and birds.
Category

Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Stoneware

Mason's Ironstone Large Dinner Plate in Bandana Pattern, circa 1900
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good, large dinner plate by Mason's ironstone, England in the Bandana pattern, dating to circa 1900. The Plate is circular in sha...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Ironstone

Set of Six Early Mason's Ironstone Side Plates Oriental Pheasant Ptn, circa 1818
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a Georgian set of six matching Mason's ironstone plates, all in the Oriental Pheasant pattern and dating to the earliest period between 1813-1820. Sets of early plates in...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Ironstone

Mason's Ironstone Lidded Dish or Bowl in Flying Bird Pattern, circa 1890
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a rare ironstone lidded dish or bowl in a rare shape, hand enameled in the Flying Bird pattern, made by Mason's Ironstone of Lane Delph, Staffordshire, England, during the la...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Ironstone

Georgian Mason's Ironstone Side Plate in Rock Leaves & Flowers Ptn, circa 1815
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a fine Ironstone pottery side plate made by the Mason's factory at Lane Delph, Staffordshire, England and beautifully hand decorated in the Rock, Leaves and flowers Pattern, ...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Ironstone

Plate by Copeland Late Spode in Japanese Kakiemon Pattern No. 2117, circa 1850
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a beautiful plate in the Japanese inspired Kakiemon pattern number 2117, produced by the Copeland - Late Spode factory and made of earthenware potte...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Pottery

Whieldonware Teapot, England, C1765
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A charming, tiny, one-cup teapot in creamware with crabstock handle and spout, and ‘Whieldonware’ decoration. Teapots of this size date from the time each person was given his own po...
Category

Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Earthenware

Georgian Mason's Ironstone Side Plate Small Vase Flowers & Rock Ptn, circa 1815
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a fine Ironstone pottery side plate made by the Mason's factory at Lane Delph, Staffordshire, England and beautifully decorated in the Small Vase, flower & Rock Pattern, full...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Ironstone

Early John Ridgway Soup Plate Aukland Chinoiserie Pattern, English, circa 1835
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very decorative, Imperial Stone China (ironstone), large deep plate or soup bowl by John Ridgway, dating to the William IV period of the...
Category

19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Ironstone

Stephen Folch Plate in Bamboo & Basket Pattern with Royal Arms mark, circa 1825
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a rare early 19th century ironstone plate made by Stephen Folch of Church street, Stoke, Staffordshire Potteries, England between 1819 and 1829. The plate has a light grey...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Ironstone

Masons Ironstone Dinner Plate with finely hand gilded pattern, circa 1895
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a late 19th century Mason’s ironstone large Dinner Plate in a striking heavily gilded pattern. This large plate is decorated in a bold chinoiserie pattern that is very simil...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Ironstone

Georgian Dish by Stephen Folch Bamboo & Basket Pattern Royal Arms Mark, Ca 1825
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a rare early 19th century ironstone desert plate made by Stephen Folch of Church street, Stoke, Staffordshire Potteries, England between 1819 and 1829. The plate or Dish/b...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Ironstone

Georgian Plate by Spode in Gilded Bow Pot Pattern Number 2954, circa 1820
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a beautiful plate in the Bow Pot pattern, produced by the Spode factory and made of a type of earthenware pottery called Pearl-ware, in the early 19th century, circa 1820. ...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Pearlware

Rare Mason's Ironstone Miniature Cup Japan Basket Pattern, circa 1825
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a miniature Mason's ironstone cup in the Japan basket pattern which we date to circa 1825. Miniature or toy items of Masons ironstone are rare...
Category

1820s English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Ironstone

Mason's Ironstone Handled Desert Bowl in Fence Vase and Doves Pattern, Ca 1825
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very attractive two handled shallow Desert Bowl or Dish made by Mason's Ironstone Pottery, in the early 19th century. The bowl is decorated in the Fence Vase and Dove chin...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Ironstone

Copeland Spode Stone China Dinner Plate Tobacco Leaf Pattern No. 2061, Ca 1880
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good stone China (Ironstone) large Dinner Plate, hand painted in the tobacco leaf pattern, number 2061, made by the Copeland (Spode) factory in the 19th century, English Vi...
Category

19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Pottery

Materials

Ironstone

Chinoiserie pottery for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinoiserie pottery for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage pottery created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, stoneware and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinoiserie pottery made in a specific country, there are Europe, England, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original pottery, popular names associated with this style include Mason's Ironstone, John Ridgways, Josiah Spode, and Stephen Folch. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for pottery differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $135 and tops out at $5,946 while the average work can sell for $362.

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