Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
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.
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
20th Century Southeast Asian Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Bamboo
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Bronze
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Pearlware
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ormolu
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware
2010s Hungarian Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ironstone
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ironstone
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware, Faience, Maiolica
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ironstone
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1970s French Vintage Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1840s English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ironstone
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ironstone
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Brass, Bronze
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ironstone
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware
1920s English Vintage Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic, Faience
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ironstone
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Faience
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware, Faience, Maiolica
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware, Faience, Maiolica
20th Century American Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Fabric
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ironstone
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Crystal
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ironstone
Late 17th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1750s English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1970s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
20th Century Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 19th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Late 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain, Paint
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Pewter
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Creamware, Pottery
1950s French Vintage Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Brass, Enamel
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain, Paint
1820s French Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Metal, Gold
Mid-18th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain, Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain, Paint
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware, Delft, Faience