Chinoiserie Lighting
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 17th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Faience
20th Century French Chinoiserie Lighting
Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Lighting
Porcelain
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic, Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic
Late 17th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Faience
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Bronze
1970s French Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Bronze, Ormolu
1960s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Ironstone, Wood
17th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Delft
1780s English Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Mirror, Giltwood
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Crystal, Iron, Tôle
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Lighting
Bronze
1970s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
Mid-20th Century English Chinoiserie Lighting
Gold Leaf
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Chinoiserie Lighting
Rock Crystal, Metal
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Lighting
Ormolu
1930s English Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Lacquer
20th Century English Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass, Bronze
20th Century Chinoiserie Lighting
Glass
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Porcelain
1920s French Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Bronze
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Lighting
Bronze
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic, Leather, Bamboo
20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Lighting
Bronze
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Lighting
Crystal, Rock Crystal
Early 20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Lighting
Pottery
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Lighting
Porcelain
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Mirror, Giltwood
Early 1900s French Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Lighting
Alabaster, Brass
1930s English Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Lacquer
Early 20th Century German Chinoiserie Lighting
Bronze
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Lighting
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal
1960s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal
1980s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
1950s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Crystal, Iron
1960s English Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Pine, Paint
1940s French Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Glass
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Lighting
Crystal, Bronze
1930s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic, Paper
20th Century English Chinoiserie Lighting
Glass
Mid-20th Century Belgian Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass, Bronze
20th Century British Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
1850s English Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Tin, Brass