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.
Old English Silver Chinoiserie Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Old English sheffield silver plate tableware/barware centerpiece bowl . The centerpiece bowl features eight different exterior chinoiserie scene design details resting on a proportio...
Silver Plate
Vintage Sheffield Carving Knife and Fork Set with Porcelain Handles
By Sheffield
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Sheffield carving knife and fork set, stainless steel, pink Floraine porcelain handles. This vintage set of fine Sheffield carving knife and...
Stainless Steel
$1,975
H 3 in Dm 17 in
Elegant English 19th Century Sheffield Silver Plate Embellished Mirrored Plateau
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful 19th century silver plate plateau has a rich floral embellishment with circular mirror. The beautiful patina adds to the look of this an...
Copper, Silver, Silver Plate
Elkington & Co Victorian Silver Plated Mirror Plateau, Made in 1845
Located in London, London
Carrying old silver plate marks Elkington & Co. in 1845, this attractive, Victorian, Antique Silver Plated Mirror Plateau, features an orna...
Silver Plate
English Sheffield Cut Crystal Acanthus & Berry Epergne, Circa 1830
Located in Charleston, SC
English Sheffield epergne with a centered cut crystal bowl, four scrolled arms with fitted crystal bowls, chased vine & berry motif throughout, and t...
Crystal, Sheffield Plate
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 17 in W 15 in D 13.5 in
English Silver Plate Epergne Centerpiece Four Trumpets with Basket Base
Located in Miami Beach, FL
This beautiful epergne was made by S.J. Levi & Co. (1901-1938) in Birmingham England at the beginning of the 20th Century. This impressive silver plate piece features 1 large center...
Silver Plate
$1,495 / set
H 19.75 in W 11.25 in D 11.25 in
Antique Silver Plated Centerpiece or Epergne with Figural Children Playing
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large centerpiece or epergne was made by the well known Wilcox Silver Plate Company of the United States in approximately 1900 and done in a Victorian style. The base is composed of silver plate and features three figural children holding a rope and playing a period circle game. The middle of the centerpiece is composed of a bowl with three partitions that is decorated with engraved stylized flowers. The trumpet vase or epergne at the top is a clear glass with a diamond cut pattern. The base is clearly signed with the maker's marks for the Wilcox Silver Company...
Silver Plate
$1,995 / set
H 21 in W 11.75 in D 7.25 in
Antique Silver Plated Grape Stand Centerpiece with Child and Etched Glass Eperne
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This. antique silver plated figural centerpiece is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in England in circa 1880 in the period Victorian style. The centerpiece features a figural child grape stand...
Metal
English Sheffield Silver-Plated Footed Mirror Plateau
Located in New Orleans, LA
English Sheffield silver-plated footed mirror plateau.
Sheffield Plate
$1,322 / set
H 2.76 in W 13.39 in D 9.85 in
Silver Plated Set Fish Knifes & Forks for 12 people, Sheffield England, 1910s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
This amazing set of 24 cutlery pieces. Fish Knifes & Forks for 12 people made in Sheffield, England in the 1910s. The original box. The antique set has the original manufacturer's la...
Silver Plate
$85
H 0.75 in W 1.25 in D 16 in
Sheffield Dickinson El Dorado Steel and Wood Handled Long Butchers Knife
By Dickinson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A 16 inch long butchers knife, a carbon steel blade with an unusual carved wood tapered handle, Sheffield, England. The blade is marked: The El Dorado...
Cut Steel
Antique English Sheffield EPNS A1 Silverplate Five Forks
English Sheffield Tea Urn with Dolphin Head Spout, Circa 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
English Sheffield tea urn with floral finial, hand chased feather banding, flanking scrolled ebonized side handles, floral medallion with dolphin hea...
Sheffield Plate
19th Century Silver Plate Epergne and Cruet Service
Located in New Orleans, LA
This elegant silver plate epergne is a rarity in that it also includes a full, cut-glass cruet set. This service’s delicate central basket is elevated above a plateau holding ten finely-cut bottles, including two mustard pots, four small vinaigrettes and four larger vinaigrettes. Intricate bright-cut engraving along the pierced galleries completes this stunning piece. An epergne is a dining table...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 1 in W 6 in D 7 in
Cutlass Leppington Sheffield Stainless and Bone China Spreaders, a Cased Set / 6
By Sheffield
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A beautiful six piece set of spreaders by Cutlass Leppington – Sheffield, England, circa 1930-1940. The heat-forged Stainless Steel and hand painted bone china handled...
Stainless Steel
Silver Plate Bamboo and Glass Punchbowl
Located in Stamford, CT
Large glass punch bowl with silver plate bamboo-style base. Coordinating 14" L silver plate bamboo-style lade with a double pour spout included. N...
Silver Plate
Sea Life Ice Bucket
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Cool your spirits with this silver plated sea life ice bucket featuring fish, coral, seashells and faux tusks. A most fantastic combination of style and funct...