Chinoiserie Tableware
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.
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Tableware
Ormolu
1970s French Vintage Chinoiserie Tableware
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Tableware
Brass
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Tableware
Silver
1880s English Antique Chinoiserie Tableware
Ceramic, Pottery
Mid-20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Tableware
Shell, Linen
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Tableware
Ceramic, Paint
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Tableware
Fabric
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Tableware
Faience
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Tableware
Earthenware
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Tableware
Ceramic, Paint
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Tableware
Fabric
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Tableware
Ceramic
20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Tableware
Ceramic, Porcelain
20th Century English Chinoiserie Tableware
Steel
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Tableware
Fabric, Linen, Thread
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Tableware
Earthenware
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Tableware
Ceramic, Faience
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Tableware
Ceramic, Porcelain
20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Tableware
Gold
20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Tableware
Ceramic, Paint
2010s German Chinoiserie Tableware
Porcelain
2010s German Chinoiserie Tableware
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary French Chinoiserie Tableware
Porcelain
1950s French Vintage Chinoiserie Tableware
Porcelain
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Tableware
Ironstone
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chinoiserie Tableware
Lacquer
1960s Scandinavian Vintage Chinoiserie Tableware
Brass
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Tableware
Porcelain
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Tableware
Gold Plate
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Tableware
Porcelain
2010s American Chinoiserie Tableware
Brass
1980s German Vintage Chinoiserie Tableware
Porcelain
Late 20th Century French Chinoiserie Tableware
Porcelain
1950s Vintage Chinoiserie Tableware
Gold Plate
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Tableware
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Tableware
Porcelain, Paint
Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Tableware
Porcelain, Paint
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Tableware
Porcelain
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Tableware
Silver Plate
1980s French Vintage Chinoiserie Tableware
Porcelain
1990s Chinoiserie Tableware
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Tableware
Ironstone
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Tableware
Ironstone
Mid-20th Century English Chinoiserie Tableware
Stainless Steel
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Tableware
Ceramic, Paint
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Tableware
Fabric