Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
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.
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Ironstone
1810s English Antique Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Ironstone
Early 1800s English Antique Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Stoneware
1930s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Ceramic, Porcelain
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Silver Plate
Early 1900s Antique Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Teak
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Ironstone
1860s English Antique Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Ironstone
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Ceramic
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Paper
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Metal
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Ironstone
Mid-20th Century English Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Stainless Steel
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Ironstone
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Ironstone
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Paper
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Ironstone
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Ceramic
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
2010s German Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Porcelain
19th Century Welsh Antique Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Metal
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Porcelain
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Faience
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Ironstone
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Straw
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Ceramic
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Sub-Saharan African Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Earthenware
1950s French Vintage Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Ironstone
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Leather, Wood
20th Century American Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Plastic
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Ironstone
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Cut Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Iron
1950s French Vintage Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Porcelain
1880s English Antique Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Ironstone
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Ironstone
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Ironstone
1970s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Mother-of-Pearl
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Ironstone
Mid-20th Century Southeast Asian Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Pearlware
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Serving Pieces
Ceramic