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.
Giltwood Chinoiserie Bamboo Oval Footstool
Located in Stamford, CT
Small oval antique giltwood bamboo stool. Black painted banded detailing: Newly upholstered in Schumacher Nakuru epingle woven fabric with gimp trim.
Giltwood
Chinoiserie Damask Upholstered Footstool in Cranberry Silk Iris Apfel Collection
By Stark
Located in Morristown, NJ
A compact upholstered footstool covered in richly colored cranberry damask woven with a chinoiserie landscape motif featuring figures, pagodas, and stylized foliage. The tonal weave ...
Damask, Silk, Upholstery, Wood, Braid
$2,250 / set
6 S Chinese Chinoiserie Stools with Carvings
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Set of 6 pcs vintage 20 th c Chinese Chinoiserie footstools with handcarved accents.
Wood
19th Century French Louis XVI Walnut Six Leg Oval Footstool
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Charming 19th century French walnut footstool featuring an elongated oval form supported by six fluted legs. Made in the grand Louis XVI taste with neoclassical carved rosettes on th...
Brass
English Chinese Chippendale Giltwood Faux Bamboo Stool
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
English Chinese Chippendale style gilded faux bamboo stool from the mid-19th century, its square crown seat with canted corners upholstered with a leopard print cut velvet in orange ...
Upholstery, Wood
Continental Louis XV Style Beaded Giltwood Footstool
Located in Houston, TX
Continental Louis XV Style Beaded giltwood footstool. Lovely Continental Louis XV style hand beaded gilt wood footstool or tuffet. This beautiful gilt footstool is in great conditio...
Giltwood, Beads
Brown Leather Pouf with Sheepskin Shearling Foot Stool
Located in Dural, AU
What a great way to add a stylish addition to your living room comfort with this brown leather pouf. Featuring an Italian grained leather trimmed with Australian curly wool shearling...
Sheepskin
$1,195 / set
H 18 in W 18 in D 15 in
20th Century Modern Upholstered Decorative Footstool Ottomans, Pair
Located in Germantown, MD
20th Century Modern Upholstered Decorative Footstool Ottomans, Pair. This pair is made out of polyester textile, Polychrome cover, polyurethane cover foam, cardboard and wooden base ...
Polyester, Wood, Paper
Zebra Footstool
Located in Saint Louis, US
A charming miniature footstool featuring bold zebra-patterned upholstery, accented with a row of classic nailhead trim. Its gently curved legs and richly dark-stained wood base add a...
Zebra Hide, Foam, Wood
French Pair of Louis XV-style Stools with Needlepoint
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A pair of Louis XV-style footstools with floral needlepoint upholstery. Each stool features a unique but coordinating design of ornate urns overflowing with colorful and lush bouquet...
Mahogany
Russell Stool
Located in Greenwich, CT
The Russell stool, a handcrafted recreation of one of Gordon Russell's earliest and most successful Cotswold School designs, crafted in white oak by Wooster and Essex having an uphol...
Oak
Oval Zebra Footstool
Located in Saint Louis, US
A charming miniature footstool featuring bold zebra-patterned upholstery, accented with a row of classic nail head trim. Its gently curved legs and richly dark-stained wood base add ...
Zebra Hide, Foam, Wood
$1,850
H 19 in W 24 in D 17 in
Early 19th Century English Chinoiserie Decorated Footstool With Queen Anne Legs
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Early 19th century English footstool decorated in the chinoiserie style with detailed gilt and polychrome figures, floral sprays, and geometric motifs on a black lacquer ground. Rais...
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Vintage Leopard Upholstered Footstool Storage Box
Located in Tampa, FL
A distinctive vintage footstool combining decorative appeal with functional storage. Crafted in America in the 1970s, this compact bench features a wooden case form raised on three b...
Textile, Wood
Zebra Hide Footstool
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful wood and zebra hide footstool or low bench / stool, circa early to mid-20th century. Piece is rectangular with bun feet, with a footrest or seat upholstered in authentic ...
Zebra Hide, Wood
Vintage black lacquered chinoiserie upholstered benches/a pair
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a pair of black Lacquered chinoiserie upholstered benches. These benches have a black and cream colored tiger pattern Chenille as...
Wood
Chinoiserie Lacquered Faux Bamboo Foot Stool by Baker Furniture
Located in Bradenton, FL
20th Century Chinoiserie Lacquered Faux Bamboo Square Foot Stool by Baker Furniture. Footstool features red lacquered faux bamboo wood with gilt accents. Frame has turned finials an...
Faux Bamboo
Refinished Mid-Century Yellow Asian Footstool
Located in Fort Washington, MD
Gorgeous small refinished vintage Asian footstool with scroll legs and gold/orange fabric with accent black velvet piping this stool is the...
Fabric, Wood
Refinished Antique Small Round Footstool with Asian Velvet Dragon
Located in Fort Washington, MD
Gorgeous antique footstool that has been fully refinished preserving the original look of the frame,upholstered with an Asian theme velvet with a beautiful dragon in shades of orange...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 9.75 in W 16 in D 16 in
Black and White Upholstered Stacking Ottomans Teak Ming Style Feet Mid-Century
By James Mont
Located in Topeka, KS
Awesome and unusual stacking ottomans with black and white upholstered cushion tops and Ming style teak base and feet. This set of four is in fabulou...
Faux Leather, Teak
English 1900s Giltwood Faux-Bamboo Upholstered Footstool
Located in Atlanta, GA
This English faux-bamboo petite footstool from the turn of the century (19th-20th century) features an oval muslin upholstered oval seat with nailhea...
Upholstery, Faux Bamboo
Sold
H 19 in W 25 in D 17 in
French Original Painted White Needlepoint Chinoiserie Footstool, ca. 1890.
Located in Dallas, TX
Perfect for adding a splash of color, a bit of texture, and a wonderful element of comfort, this handsome 19th century french footstool features an original white painted finish with...
Tapestry, Wood