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.
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Enamel
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Lighting
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
1970s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Silk, Wood, Ceramic
1960s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Lighting
Bronze
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal, Brass
Early 1900s English Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Giltwood, Paint
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Lighting
Pottery
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Lighting
Porcelain
20th Century French Chinoiserie Lighting
Rock Crystal
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic, Leather, Bamboo
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Tin
1980s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
Mid-20th Century European Chinoiserie Lighting
Wood
1950s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Crystal, Iron
Mid-20th Century English Chinoiserie Lighting
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Lighting
Crystal, Bronze
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal
Early 20th Century American Chinoiserie Lighting
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Lighting
Teak
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic
Early 1900s American Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Bronze
1940s French Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Glass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal
1870s French Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Ormolu
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Bronze, Brass
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic, Rosewood
20th Century Chinoiserie Lighting
Glass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Lighting
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century English Chinoiserie Lighting
Bronze
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Lighting
Ormolu, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Lighting
Bronze
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass, Steel
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic
1980s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Porcelain
1960s English Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Pine, Paint
1950s French Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Porcelain
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
Mid-20th Century British Chinoiserie Lighting
Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Lighting
Bronze
1920s French Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Bronze
1940s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Wood
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Brass
1960s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Lighting
Ceramic, Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Lighting
Metal