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.
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
Chinoiserie Centerpiece Bowl by Sheffield Silver Co., England
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
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
$1,975
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
$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
$1,495 / 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
Antique silver plated teapot by Sheffield, England, 1890-1910s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Antique silver plated teapot made in Sheffield, England in the 1890-1910s. Silver plated is used to denote - the method was invented in the city of Sheffield in about 1743 by goldsmi...
Silver Plate
$1,295Sale Price|22% Off
H 7 in W 11.75 in D 9 in
Old English Sheffield Plate Matthew Boulton Hand Engraved "Armorial" Dish Cover
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
Very fine and rare Old English Sheffield plate hand engraved "Armorial" Dish Cover with maker's marks for Matthew Boulton and a later "married" sterling silver Rococo style handle. ...
Sheffield Plate
$360
H 14.5 in W 1.5 in D 1 in
Royal Brand Sheffield England Three-Piece Carving Set with Genuine Stag Handles
Located in Northport, MI
A finely crafted three-piece carving set by Royal Brand Cutlery Company, Sheffield, England, circa 1950s. This handsome set includes a carving knife, fork, and sharpening steel, each...
Stainless Steel
Vintage Knife & Fork Set of 12. Circa 1940
Located in Worcester Park, GB
A beautifully preserved vintage cutlery set featuring classic ivory-toned handles paired with silver-finished blades and forks. The gently tapered handles sit comfortably in the hand...
Silver Plate
$275 / set
H 2.13 in W 7 in D 9.25 in
Antique Victorian English Sheffield EPNS Silverplate Faux Ivory Fork Knife Set
Located in San Diego, CA
Nice set of 19th Century English Victorian nickel silver flatware. Set includes six forks and six knives and comes in the original wood box. Each knife and fork features a beautiful ...
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...