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.
Gold Giltwood Faux Bamboo Wall or Vanity Mirror Chinoiserie Style
Located in New York, NY
A gold giltwood bamboo style framed wall or vanity mirror in the Chinoiserie style, circa late-20th century, New York. Mirror is rectangular with a gold giltwood frame and design det...
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
Rattan Bamboo Pagoda Shaped Mirror, Franco Albini Style
Located in Barcelona, ES
Franco Albini Inspired Rattan Bamboo Rectangular Wall Mirror Mid-Century Modern rattan pagoda style rectangular mirror with oriental accents, Italy, 1960s. This bamboo mirror will be...
Bamboo, Wicker, Mirror
Regency Gold Gilded Faux Bamboo Chinese Chippendale Cheval / Floor Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large stately design Cheval mirror. It features a beautifully gold finish faux bamboo frame, with large pivoting mirror.
Steel
$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Red & Gold Chinese Temple Carving Mirror, Early 20th Century
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Monumental Red & Gold Chinese Temple Carving Mirror Additional information: Materials: Gold, Mirror Color: Red Period: Early 20t...
Mirror
Napoleon III Black Chinoiserie Mirror from the estate of Jules Verne
Located in Hastings, GB
Stunning 19th century Napoleon III French black lacquered Chinoiserie mirror, acquired from the estate of descendants of Jules Verne’s family, the Salomon-Mortello family, following ...
Wood
Faux Bamboo Walnut Framed Mirror Made in England 1800’s in Boho Chic Style
Located in London, GB
A Faux Bamboo Walnut mirror of beautiful warm tones, together with it’s original hanging chain in the Chinoiserie/Aesthetic Movement style. Refreshed and revived by professional rest...
Walnut, Glass
Pair of English Chinoiserie Painted Reverse on Glass Giltwood Mirrored Sconces
Located in New York, NY
A fantastic pair of English chinoiserie painted reverse on glass, carved giltwood mirrored two-light sconces. Each is beautifully hand carved and gilt...
Mirror, Giltwood
Chinoiserie Faux Bamboo Octagonal Shape Wall Mirror, circa 1970
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Chinoiserie faux bamboo gilded mirror, circa 1970. This octagonal-shaped mirror is in an octagonal shape with a giltwood gold frame. Frame mimics the popular designers' cult favorite...
Metal
Boho Chic Style Faux Bamboo Walnut Framed Mirror Made in France in mid 1800’s
Located in London, GB
A faux bamboo walnut mirror of beautiful warm tones, together with it’s original hanging chain in the Chinoiserie/Aesthetic Movement style. Refreshed and revived by professional rest...
Glass, Walnut, Mirror
Chinoserie Decorated Mirror
Located in Richmond, VA
Great looking chinoserie decorated mirror. Early 20th century.
Wood, Paint
Franco Albini Style Bamboo Rattan Wall Mirror with Arched Top
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching Mid-Century Modern Franco Albini style handcrafted bamboo and rattan mirror with arched top. This mirror features a double bamboo f...
Bamboo, Rattan, Cane
Carved Giltwood Chippendale Chinoiserie Mirror
Located in Norwood, NJ
Fine quality gilt and carved wood Chinese Chippendale beveled mirror. Chinoiserie style giltwood frame with central Ho Ho bird at top.
Mirror, Wood
Monumental Early 20th Century Arte Deco Mirror
Located in Round Top, TX
A spectacular and monumental early 20th century Arte Deco mirror with its original glass. Indeed a stunning piece.
Glass
$1,026Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.14 in W 24.02 in D 0.99 in
Mid-Century Bamboo & Rattan Wall Mirror in Franco Albini Style, 1960s
Located in Valencia, VC
Mid-Century Bamboo & Rattan Mirror, Organic Modern, Franco Albini Style Large bamboo and rattan mirror featuring a double-framed bamboo structure with symmetrical rattan rings ...
Bamboo, Rattan, Mirror, Wood
$5,895
H 72 in W 26.5 in D 18.5 in
Large Edwardian Cheval or Dressing Mirror of Satinwood from England
Located in Austin, TX
A fine large English cheval or full-length dressing mirror from the Edwardian era, featuring a mirrored glass panel framed in satinwood with inlaid stringing around the circumference...
Metal
19th Century Faux Bamboo Cheval Mirror
Located in High Point, NC
FABULOUS 19th century faux bamboo chevalier mirror from France. The mirror has rounded corners at the top and square corners at the bottom, and the c...
Mirror, Cherry
$1,423
H 29.53 in W 24.41 in D 1.97 in
Franco Albini Large Oval Mirror in Bamboo, Rattan and Wicker, Italy, 1970s
By Franco Albini and Franca Helg
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning large oval mirror in French Riviera style, crafted from hand-woven wicker, curved rattan, and bamboo. This refined piece is attributed to the mastery of Franco Albini and wa...
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan, Mirror
Cheval Mirror in Mahogany, 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant cheval mirror in solid mahogany and mahogany veneer from the 19th century from England Very beautiful mirror which has its original glass which is beveled Very beautiful pa...
Mahogany
$4,200 / item
H 39.38 in W 31.5 in D 2.76 in
"Ca' Bernardo" Murano glass Mirror in Venetian Style, Hand Made Made in Italy
Located in Murano Venezia, IT
" Ca Bernardo" Rectangular Murano Glass Mirror in Venetian Style, made by the expert hands of the Masters of Murano, frame composed of beveled and hand-engraved bands, with a crystal reed finish on a gold background and golden Murano glass rosettes...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
$3,567 / item
H 45.28 in W 27.56 in D 2.76 in
"Cabianca" Murano Glass Mirror in Venetian Style by Fratelli Tosi, Made in Italy
Located in Murano Venezia, IT
Venetian style mirror made to a design by Fratelli Tosi, in Murano glass, entirely hand made following the techniques of our ancestors. Mirror composed of a central rectangle with cr...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
20th Century Modern Gold Sunburst Mirror, Plastic, 1980s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
A mirror in a golden decorative sun-shaped frame from Italy. The frame is made of plastic. Good condition, no damage or cracks in the frame, the mirror ...
Mirror, Plastic
$793Sale Price|31% Off
H 23.63 in W 23.23 in D 5.91 in
Early 20th Century Baroque Style, Century Style Giltwood Carved Mirror
Located in Vienna, AT
Made in early 20th in Baroque style giltwood carved mirror, the shaped frame carved with floral motifs, leaves, flowers. Water gilding of polished and matte quality, with some bleedi...
Mirror, Hardwood
Antique Red Chinoiserie Chinese Giltwood Temple Carving Mirror
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique red Chinese giltwood temple carving mirror. It includes three temple carvings along the top and a red hardwood frame. Additional informatio...
Giltwood
Antique Lacquered Chinoiserie Mirror
Located in London, GB
A beautiful and quite petite antique mirror in lacquered chinoiserie. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1920’s. This is a use...
Wood
Sold
H 32 in W 20 in D 0.75 in
Italian Oval Burnt Bamboo Rattan Scrolled Tortoise Mirror After Franco Albini
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
An Italian scrolled burnt bamboo and rattan wall mirror in the style of Franco Albini. The piece is rectangular in shape and created with a rattan and bamboo frame which surrounds th...
Bamboo, Mirror
Tri-Fold Chinoiserie Paint Decorated Folding Vanity or Wall Mirror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Beautiful mirror that can be hung or used as a vanity mirror for a makeup table. Measures 46 wide x 31 tall and is designed to fold and is in good condition with age appropriate wear...
Walnut
Sold
H 60.25 in W 32 in D 2.5 in
Maison Jansen Parcel-Gilt Mirror with COA from James Archer Abbott, 1940's
By Maison Jansen, Stéphane Boudin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Such an incredible piece of Maison Jansen history, this large and unique French Rococo style parcel-gilt mirror depicting a hand-painted Chinoiserie scene was authenticated by Maison Jansen historian and author James Archer Abbott, a digital image of his authentication letter to be provided upon sale. Described in James Archer's letter: "The exceptional c. 1940-1950 Chinoiserie-style lacquered frame with mirrored glass insert is characteristic of that firm's (Maison Jansen) finest work. This rather monumental mirror - or looking glass - is consistent with Jansen's concern for the finest quality of finish - particularly masterfully applied lacquer. Presumably once one of a pair intended for a great salon, gallery, or dining room, this surviving example represents Jansen's output under the supervision of celebrated tastemaker Stephane Boudin...
Mirror, Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Vintage Asian Chinoiserie Carved Pagoda Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Fantastic vintage hand carved Chinoiserie mirror. A beautiful carved pagoda mirror with a charming little pagoda roof top. A chic cerused finish adds to...
Mirror
Sold
H 31 in W 17 in D 1.25 in
Italian Oval Burnt Bamboo Rattan Scrolled Tortoise Mirror After Franco Albini
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
An Italian scrolled burnt bamboo and rattan wall mirror in the style of Franco Albini. The piece is oval in shape and created with a rattan and bamboo frame which surrounds the glass...
Bamboo, Mirror
Sold
H 26 in W 32 in D 1.5 in
Hollywood Regency 1970s Blue Octagonal Faux Rattan Bamboo Wrapped Mirror
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A gorgeous rattan look wrapped mirror. Hexagonal in shape, this mirror has a wonderful blue painted textured frame. It will be a beautiful addition to any space. Hanging hardware is ...
Mirror, Plastic
Sold
H 51 in W 39.5 in D 4 in
Large Mid Century Chinese Octagonal Gilt and Decoupage Wall Mirror with Script
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Dating to the mid 20th century this large chinoiserie octagonal gilt and decoupage wall mirror features a three dimensional frame with outer and inner panels separated by giltwood di...
Paper, Mirror, Wood
Antique Chinese Queen Anne Style Chinoiserie Mirror
Located in London, GB
A stunning antique Queen Anne style lacquered chinoiserie mirror, with Chinese influence. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1920’s period. The quality is fabulous...
Wood
Late 19th C Navy Blue Lacquered Chinoiserie Mirror
Located in Hastings, GB
Late 19th century lacquered chinoiserie mirror in fabulous French navy blue colour Dating from around 1890's Navy background with gilt p...
Wood
Early 20th Century Red Lacquered Chinoiserie Mirror
Located in Hastings, GB
Early 20th century red lacquered chinoiserie mirror Dating from circa 1920 Deep red background with gilt painted oriental landscapes and...
Wood