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
$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
$114
H 1.97 in W 12.6 in D 2.37 in
Antique Silver Plate Crumb Scoop by Atkin Brothers, Sheffield, England, 1890s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Antique silver plate crumb scoop by Atkin Brothers made in Sheffield, England, the end of the 19th century. The Atkin Brothers can trace their roots back to Sheffield silversmith, ...
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
$1,400
H 7.5 in W 13.5 in D 9 in
A Fine Georgian Old Sheffield Plate Three-Part Entree Dish, England Circa 1825
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very good 'Old Sheffield Plate' 3-part entree dish, comprised of a rectangular hot water reservoir retaining its original wood insulated carrying handles, receiving a conforming in...
Silver Plate, Copper, Tin
English Sheffield Silver-Plated Footed Mirror Plateau
Located in New Orleans, LA
English Sheffield silver-plated footed mirror plateau.
Sheffield 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
$12,000Sale Price|57% Off
H 16 in Dm 11.5 in
19th C Sheffield Silver over Copper & Original Crystal Epergne with Lions Heads
Located in Great Barrington, MA
Spectacular 19th century English silver plated epergne with figural lion's head feet and chased silver arms and base. The handblown crystal center bowl is petal cut and frosted with ...
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, a...
Crystal, Sheffield Plate
French Empire Gilt Silver Epergne, c1805
Located in valatie, NY
This beautiful French early 19th century gilt sterling silver epergne is decorated with classical female figures, cherubs, dragon flies, and Egyptian heads, it stands on hoofed feet....
Silver
$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
Antique French Silvered Bronze Centerpiece, Circa 1870
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French silvered bronze centerpiece, circa 1870.
Bronze
$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
$3,700 / set
H 10 in W 4 in D 4 in
Set of 4 Antique English Sheffield Silver Candlesticks, Circa 1860's
By Sheffield
Located in New Orleans, LA
Set of 4 antique English sheffield silver candlesticks, Circa 1860's.
Silver Plate
Nine Vintage Hotel Silver Plate Seafood Forks by Oneida
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...