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
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
Louis XVI Style Upholstered Footstools, Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Louis XVI Style Upholstered Foot Stools, blue-grey cushion with tassels, carved wood frame with floral motif, fluted legs. 18" H x 20" W x 15" D. Provenance: From an East 7...
Upholstery, Giltwood
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
The Moreton Footstool, an English Howard-Style footstool
Located in London, GB
The Moreton Footstool, modelled on the design of late 19th Century stools by Howard & Sons, is traditionally hand made in England to the highest standard. The beech frame is raised on hand turned oak legs and traditionally upholstered. Fitted with solid brass cup castors. Wonderfully versatile and comfortable, made to the perfect height for resting legs and generously sized for a tray. This model is available as shown upholstered in 'Fez Weave' by Guy Goodfellow...
Linen, Oak, Down, Feathers
Pair of Empire Aesthetic Leather Giltwood Ottoman Footstools
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A dramatic pair of foot stools or ottomans crafted in the Napoleonic Empire or Aesthetic Movement style. The stools feature a dramatic tailored black leather upholstery with elegantl...
Leather, Giltwood
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Giltwood Footstool
Located in Houston, TX
19th century French Louis XVI style giltwood footstool. Unusual antique French Napoleon III gilt wood footstool, stool or tabouret with beautiful patina. This great French Louis XVI...
Giltwood
Louis XVI Style Yellow Silk Upholstered Footstool
Located in Astoria, NY
Louis XVI Style Yellow Silk Upholstered Oval Foot Stool, ebonized wood frame, fluted tapering legs. 18.5" H x 21" W x 16" D. Provenance: From an East 74th Street Estate.
Silk, Upholstery, Wood
Upholstered Louis XV Style Giltwood Footstool, 20th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
Louis XV style giltwood footstool, 20th c., in blue upholstery, with nailhead trim, foliate carved apron, rising on cabriole legs, ending on whorl feet
Giltwood
$600Sale Price|20% Off
H 12.5 in W 21.5 in D 15 in
Antique French Country Style Upholstered Footstool, C1920
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique French Country style footstool offers upholstered seat with near-floor length fringe surround and raised on foliate carved and painted legs, C1920. Measures- 12.5''H x 21...
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
19th Century Mahogany and Needlepoint Upholstered Footstool.
Located in Germantown, MD
A 19th Century Mahogany and Blue Needlepoint Upholstered Footstool. Measures 19" in width, 14" in depth and 11" in height.
Mahogany, Upholstery
Devi Footstool
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Martyn Lawrence Bullard's custom Devi footstool. Inspired by 18th century Indian charpoy beds. This is a wonderful and useful accent piece.
Walnut
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