Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
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.
20th Century Asian Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Silk
20th Century Asian Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal, Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal, Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
20th Century Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Mid-20th Century South Korean Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Bamboo, Rattan
1940s American Vintage Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood, Mahogany
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Linen, Feathers
19th Century Unknown Antique Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Canvas, Silk, Wood, Giltwood
1920s German Vintage Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Glass, Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
20th Century English Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
Early 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood, Lacquer
1980s French Vintage Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Bakelite
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood, Hardwood
1990s Chinese Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Glass, Wood, Lacquer
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood, Burl, Lacquer
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
1970s Indian Vintage Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood, Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Rosewood
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Fabric, Wood, Paper
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Fabric, Wood
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Lacquer
2010s American Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Silk
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Mother-of-Pearl
Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood, Paper
1760s Dutch Antique Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather
1960s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood, Paper
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Lacquer
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Wicker, Rattan
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Wool
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
Early 20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Silver Plate
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Ebony
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal