Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
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.
Early 19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Softwood, Paint
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Paint, Fabric
20th Century Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Faux Bamboo
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Cherry
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Cherry
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Cherry
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Faux Bamboo
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Wood, Paint
1990s American Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Wood
1970s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Brass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Metal
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Belgian Black Marble
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Wood
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Burl
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Cotton, Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Burl
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Leather
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Fabric
1960s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Cane, Wood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Teak
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Bamboo
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Oak, Fabric
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Rosewood
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Late 19th Century South Asian Antique Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Giltwood, Cane, Lacquer, Wood
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Hardwood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Burl
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Linen, Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Linen
Early 2000s American Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
20th Century American Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Wood
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Lacquer, Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Maple, Paint