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.
Mintons, England. Set of six lunch plates in faience. Chinese style.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Mintons, England. Set of six lunch plates in faience. Chinese style. Decorated with flowers. Late 19th century. Marked. In excellent condition with natural crazing. Dimensions: D 20....
Faience
Ceramic Black and White Dog Salt and Pepper Shakers, a Pair
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Get your table company ready with this pair of ceramic dog salt and pepper shakers. Each shaker depicts a black and white shaggy puppy laying down, with his pink tongue out. Each has...
Ceramic, Paint
Ashworth, England. Set of six plates in faience. Chinese style.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Ashworth, England. Set of six plates in faience. Chinese style. Decorated with flowers. Late 19th century. Marked. In excellent condition with natural crazing. Dimensions: D 17.0 cm.
Faience
Coastal Bone China Shell Motif Napkin Rings, Set of 4
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A fabulous pair of vintage bone china napkin rings. Glazed in cream, each ring features a ceramic shell atop. Dimensions of each napkin ring: 2...
Ceramic
Blue and White Chinoiserie Porcelain Saucer Set of 5, Japan
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Set of 4 blue and white saucer plates. Each plate features a painted scene of a pagoda, set atop a hill surrounded by flora and fauna. Birds ...
Ceramic, Porcelain
Chinoiserie Oval Tole Tray With Exotic River Scene
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Late 19th/ Early 20th Century yellow oval tole tray with reticulated border, dual handles, gold trim, Chinoiserie paste down center, flocked bottom. The image depicts an exotic River...
Metal
Pair of Ceramic Salt & Pepper Shakers Asian Boy Girl Celadon Glaze
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Pair of charming vintage salt and pepper shakers features a boy and a girl in traditional Asian costumes; the shakers are decorated with celadon glaze. The choice of monochromatic pa...
Ceramic, Porcelain, Cork
Chinoiserie Embroidered Linen Placemat and Napkin Set in Blue and White Set of 4
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful set of four chinoiserie blue and white embroidered placemats and matching napkins. The edges of both the cloth napkins and cloth plac...
Fabric, Linen, Thread
Salt Cellar Faience French Octagonal Blue Red Green White
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
A charming piece of history for the dining table. The inside with an elegant, central floral spray and a floral border. the base decorated with blue lines and a bottom border of s...
Faience
Salt Cellar Dish Faience French Oval Shaped Skirt Green Brown White
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Rare surviving small piece of early tableware. Suitable for everyday use as a charming piece of history for the dining table. The oval top with a leafy sprig with a berry. Four re...
Earthenware
Silver Godinger Chinoiserie Pagoda Salt and Pepper Shakers
By Godinger
Located in Elkhart, IN
A charming pair of Chinoiserie silver plate salt and pepper shakers in the form of pagodas By Godinger Circa 1970s Measures: 1.5"W x 1.5"D x 3.5"H. Very good vintage condition.
Silver
Noritake Mentone Blue Gold and White Saucer
By Noritake
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A pretty porcelain white saucer with blue and gold detail by Noritake. This beautiful plate has a painted blue and gold rim with sprays of flowers in varying hues of blue at the center. Two gold decorative flourishes adorn the dish in between the blue bouquets. Bottom Reads: Noritake China...
Gold
William Ridgway English Staffordshire Transferware Platter, Flosculous Pattern
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A black on white transfer printed floral platter in the Flosculous pattern, William Ridgway & Co., Shelton, Hanley, Staffordshire England, circa 1830-1854. A gently scalloped black-printed platter in an unusual borderless pattern. Alternating floral sprays extend outward — from a three part scroll motif in the center — up the well and onto the rim of the plate. The term ‘flosculous’ means having flowerets or composite-flowered. This stylized pattern feels very modern. 19 in. L x 15.25 in. W x 1.75 in H A printed urn...
Earthenware
Silver Godinger Chinoiserie Pagoda Salt and Pepper Shakers
By Godinger
Located in Elkhart, IN
A charming pair of silver plate salt & pepper shakers in the form of pagodas By Godinger Circa 1970s Measures: 1.5"W x 1.5"D x 3.5"H. Very good vintage condition.
Silver
Sterling Silver Chinoiserie Pagoda Salt and Pepper Shakers
Located in Elkhart, IN
A charming pair of sterling silver salt & pepper shakers in the form of pagodas Circa 1950s Measures: 1.25"W x 1.25"D x 3.25"H. Very good vintage condition.
Silver
Ceramic Chinoiserie Vide Poche Decorative Dishes, Set of 4
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A set of four pretty scalloped chinoiserie dishes. Each dish is slightly bowl-shaped and would be fabulous if used as a lemon dish at a place setting, or as...
Ceramic, Paint
Silver Godinger Chinoiserie Pagoda Salt and Pepper Shakers
By Godinger
Located in Elkhart, IN
A charming pair of silver plate salt & pepper shakers in the form of pagodas By Godinger Circa 1970s Measures: 1.5"W x 1.5"D x 3.5"H. Very good vintage condition.
Silver
Antique Pink and Green Flower Pattern Chinoiserie Cake Plate with Twin Handles
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A fantastic antique floral ceramic dish, begging to be displayed at a chic dinner party. A floral bouquet of pink and green takes center stage at the middle on a crisp white backgrou...
Ceramic, Porcelain
Chinoiserie Mint Green Square Embroidered Pagoda Motif Cloth Dinner Napkins, 5
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A set of five chinoiserie mint green hand-stitched and embroidered table napkins. This set of mid-century table linens will be a fabulous addition to your next dinner or cocktail par...
Fabric
Vintage Brass Enamel Cloisonne Small Trinket Dish Set - Blue
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Brass Enamel Cloisonne Small Trinket Dish Set - Blue. Listing includes both dishes. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 0.25" H x 4" Diameter.
Brass
Chinoiserie Set of four Cups German Hand-Painted Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
These completely handturned porcelain cups with saucers are hands-free painted in a traditional Chinese decor. Comes as a set in four different colors. Blue, pink, celadon and grey. ...
Porcelain
Victorian Chinoserie Tray and Brushes
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Victorian Chinoserie Tray and Brushes Materials Papier mache Lacquer Chinoserie design (has mother-of-pearl applications) It is in excellent condition. was not used Late 19th century...
Lacquer
Modern Set of Six Porcelain Cups Hand Painted Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
These completely handturned porcelain cups with saucers are hands-free painted in modern decor with butterflies hand painted all around. Comes as a set in three different painted col...
Porcelain
Cave a Liqueur with Chinoiserie Inlay Late 19th Century
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : Cave a Liqueur with chinoiserie lacquer Date : Late 19th century Period : Third Republic Origin : France Decoration : Cover with chinoiserie scene with classic fence patter...
Ormolu
$185 / set
H 1 in Dm 10.5 in
Myott Staffordshire England "Indian Tree" Plates and Platter, Set of Five
Located in Bradenton, FL
Early 20th Century Myott Staffordshire England "Indian Tree" Plates and Platter, Set of Five. Set includes four plates and one oval platter, each decorated with richly colored floral...
Ceramic
Six Silver Plate Service Chargers Ribbon and Reed Border England
Located in Montreal, QC
Whether you are setting your table for a formal or informal occasion, service plates offer the hostess an opportunity to set the atmosphere for the decor of the table with timeless e...
Silver Plate
$120Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 4 in W 2.5 in D 2 in
Sailor and Siren Ceramic Salt and Pepper Shakers by Jonathan Adler
Located in San Diego, CA
Whimsical pair of sailor and siren ceramic salt and pepper shakers by Jonathan Adler, circa 2000s. The set is in very good condition w...
Ceramic
$5,800 / set
H 1 in Dm 10 in
12 Heavily Gilt Encrusted Antique Green & Gold Minton England Dinner Plates
By Minton
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gorgeous set ! Please click on the pictures to see the detail and enlarge. Heavy raised paste gilding on a vibrant green collar and custom ordered through the fine Gilded Age Retai...
Gold, Enamel
Silver plated Antique Napkin Rings, Set of Twelve, Germany 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A set of twelve silver plated napkin rings, circa 1910-1930s, attributed to WMF. A nice set of round rings, from the Art Nouveau era. All of them with a nice patina. Can be cleaned f...
Silver Plate
Pair of "Vertigo" Salt and Pepper Shakers signed Christofle
By Christofle
Located in New York, NY
Elevate your dining experience with a touch of contemporary elegance through the Pair of "Vertigo" Salt and Pepper Shakers signed Christofle France, 21st Century. This exquisite set ...
Silver Plate
$1,059 / set
H 0.12 in W 11.82 in D 11.82 in
Dior Set of Six Charger Plates in Tortoiseshell Effect Lucite, Italy 1970s
By Dior Home
Located in Roma, IT
Marvelous set of six octagonal charger plates in vibrant tortoiseshell effect lucite. This incredibly stylish and unique set is attributed to a Dior Home production and was produced ...
Lucite, Plexiglass
$273 / item
H 3.94 in Dm 3.94 in
Rock Handmade Ceramic Coffee Mugs - Set of 2 - Black & White Splatterware
By OWO Ceramics
Located in Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, AR
Beautifully handmade ceramic mugs designed to enhance the lovely experience of drinking well-made coffee. Beautiful to look at and highly functional, each handmade pottery mug is in...
Ceramic, Pottery, Clay
Ceramic Pair Salt and Pepper Shakers Cows Figurine
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Vintage pair of ceramic salt and pepper shakers - two cute cow figurines.
Ceramic
Set of six Fornasetti 'Specialita Romane' recipe plates c1950
By Piero Fornasetti, Fornasetti
Located in London, GB
Wonderful set of six original Fornasetti Roman recipe plates. Italy c1950 Each plate with a typical Roman cuisine recipe along with a depiction of an historical Roman building.
Porcelain
$350
H 0.5 in Dm 6.5 in
Set of Six Vintage French Dieulefit Provencal Yellowware Glazed Dessert Plates
Located in Birmingham, AL
A charming set of six vintage dessert plates from Dieulefit, a small pottery-rich village nestled in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France. Dating to the 1950s, each plate is finished in a warm ochre yellow glaze with a lightly scalloped edge and a characteristic burnt brown rim—a hallmark of traditional Dieulefit pottery...
Pottery
19th Century English Regency Papier-mâché Chinoiserie Japanned Tray
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a 19th century Regency papier-mâché chinoiserie tray. In addition to the lovely pen-work, it has mother of pearl inlay. It is not marked. Lite and general wear.
Wood
Vibrant Vintage Chinese Famille Rose Dinnerware Set - Set of 6
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Elevate your dining experience with this stunning vintage Chinese porcelain dinnerware set, featuring the iconic Famille Rose pattern...
Ceramic
Flying Bird Pattern Pair of Sauce Boats England Circa 1840
Located in Katonah, NY
This lovely pair of antique sauce boats is decorated in the vibrant Flying Bird pattern. Each piece features a colorful, long-tailed bird flying above a lush chinoiserie garden fille...
Ironstone
Silver Godinger Chinoiserie Pagoda Salt and Pepper Shakers
By Godinger
Located in Elkhart, IN
A charming pair of silver plate salt & pepper shakers in the form of pagodas By Godinger Circa 1970s Measures: 1.5"W x 1.5"D x 3.5"H. Very good vintage condition.
Silver
Mintons, England. Set of four lunch plates in faience. Chinese style.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Mintons, England. Set of four lunch plates in faience. Chinese style. Decorated with flowers. Late 19th century. Marked. In excellent condition with natural crazing. Dimensions: D 20...
Faience
Sold
H 3.5 in W 1.5 in D 1.5 in
Pair of Godinger Chinoiserie Salt and Pepper in Origninal Neiman Marcus Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fantastic pair of Chinoiserie Pagoda Style Salt and Pepper Shakers in the original Nieman Marcus Box. The pair are a compliment to any table and especially on those asian dinner ...
Silver Plate
Chinoiserie Nickel Bronze Faux Bamboo Flatware Set (144 Pieces)
Located in Round Top, TX
Beautiful, Chinoiserie-Style faux bamboo nickel bronze flatware in very nice original hardwood storage box. This set is in excellent condition a...
Bronze, Nickel
Sold
H 1.75 in W 10.25 in D 14 in
55 Pc English Spode Flow Blue Italian Transferware Dinner Serving Set 1816
By Spode
Located in Dayton, OH
55 piece Spode dinnerware china set in the Blue Italian pattern. “The iconic Blue Italian was launched in 1816 and in production ever since. Featuring...
Porcelain
Allertons English Blue Willow, Set of 8
By Allertons
Located in Sheffield, MA
A wonderful collection of Allertons Ltd. English glazed blue willow 19th century stone China plates.. These plates are stamped by the maker (shown in the photos). There are, actually, 9 plates. 8 are in excellent condition, the 9th has a very minor chip but is included without additional charge. Search terms: blue and white porcelain plates, ceramic plates, dish ware.
Ceramic, Pottery
Silver Godinger Chinoiserie Pagoda Salt and Pepper Shakers
By Godinger
Located in Elkhart, IN
A charming pair of silver plate salt & pepper shakers in the form of pagodas By Godinger Circa 1970s Measures: 1.5"W x 1.5"D x 3.5"H. Very good vintage condition.
Silver
Wedgwood Powder Blue Oval Chinoiserie Dish
By Wedgwood
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
An early 20th century Wedgwood powder blue oval serving dish with gilded chinoiserie floral decoration. The Wedgwood factory began experimentation to create powder-blue, or bleu soufflé, wares in the beginning of the 20th century. It took for its model 18th century Chinese porcelains with a chuiqing (‘blown blue’) glaze and gilded designs. In order to achieve an air-brushed effect, artisans at the Jingdezhen kilns blew powdered cobalt onto unglazed biscuit through a bamboo shoot that had a piece of very thin silk gauze at the end. A second firing secured the powder onto the piece. Chinese powder-blue wares were popular in both the Middle East (which had its own tradition of lustre described below) and in Europe, there reserved for the homes of the upper class. At Wedgwood, a team of the company’s four leading figures was tasked with recreating the Chinese powder-blue glaze: John Goodwin...
Porcelain
Silver Godinger Chinoiserie Pagoda Salt and Pepper Shakers
By Godinger
Located in Elkhart, IN
A charming pair of silver plate salt & pepper shakers in the form of pagodas By Godinger circa 1970s Measures: 1.5"W x 1.5"D x 3.5"H. Very good vintage condition.
Silver Plate
Chinoiserie Yellow Famille Jaune Decorative Floral Motif Wall Plate
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A small ceramic decorative chinoiserie plate. Decorated in yellow around the edges, this plate features chrysanthemums and brightly painted fruits in yellow, red, and pink among lush...
Ceramic, Paint