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.
Tortoise Faux Bamboo Caned Settee With Leather Cushion
Located in Southampton, NJ
Faux bamboo bench settee with Tortoise shell lacquered finish, beautifully caned seat and custom leather down filled seat cushion. British Colonial & Chinoiserie design elements....
Leather, Cane, Wood, Down
Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Lacquer and Cane Chair Back Settee
Located in Centennial, CO
A stunning and unique antique 19th century English Chinoiserie lacquer chair back settee with 20th century hand caning. Ornately embellished with antique gold Chinoiserie style decor...
Wood, Lacquer
Vintage Rattan Bamboo Bench Settee in Chinoiserie Style
Located in Saddle River, NJ
Vintage Rattan Bamboo Bench Settee in Chinoiserie Style This beautiful vintage rattan bamboo bench settee in Chinoiserie style is the perfect blend of boho chic and coastal elegance...
Rattan
A Red Painted Chinoiserie Settee
Located in New York, NY
This enchanting early 20th-century red-painted chinoiserie settee showcases exceptional craftsmanship and artistic detailing. Hand-painted scenic panels depict idyllic landscapes, pa...
Fabric, Wood
Antique Asian Rosewood Carved Foo Dogs Living Room Suite 3 Piece Settee 2 Chairs
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on "Read More" or "View More Details" below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing is from 1st Dibs and they normally s...
Rosewood
Antique Asian Rosewood Carved Foo Dogs Settee
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on "Read More" or "View More Details" below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing is from 1st Dibs and they normally s...
Rosewood
Modern Gio Ponti Style Window Benches or Settees
By Gio Ponti
Located in Rome, IT
Modern walnut sculpted and brass sabot benches or settees inspired by Gio Ponti the famous Italian Mid - Century designer . Floating cushion newly upholstered on top of solid brass ...
Wood
French Louis XV Style Cane Back Settee
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Large French Louis XV style cane back settee, also called canapé or sofa. Sofa in a very good state, no damage to the cane, rare find. Double-caned s...
Velvet, Cane, Wood
$3,020Sale Price|20% Off
H 34 in W 60.5 in D 23.5 in
19thc Early Original Red Painted Settee / Day Bed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 19Thc Original red painted day bed or settee in fine as found condition.This settee comes with four custom made 19thc coverlet pillows & the same settee decking is covered in t...
Wool, Wood
Victorian Carved Wood Settee
Located in San Francisco, CA
C. 20th century Victorian carved wood settee w/ light blue ribbed velvet.
Velvet, Wood
Modern Gio Ponti Style Window Bench or Settee
By Gio Ponti
Located in Rome, IT
Modern walnut sculpted bench or settee inspired by Gio Ponti the famous Italian Mid - Century designer . Blue velvet cushion newly upholstered . Available also a pair .
Wood
$2,340Sale Price|20% Off
H 42.13 in W 35.44 in D 16.15 in
Italian Vintage Modernist Brutalist Style Solid Wood High Back Settee Benches
Located in Firenze, IT
This vintage Mid-Century Modern period solid wood banquette settee was probably a chapel pews benches. These original and rare high back seatings str...
Metal
$960Sale Price|20% Off
H 35.5 in W 60 in D 26 in
Antique Classical Continental Carved Mahogany Upholstered Settee, C1920
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Classical Continental Carved Mahogany Upholstered Settee, C1920 Measures- 35.5'' H x 60'' W x 26'' D; SH: 19.5'' A Continental mahogany settee from circa 1920, featuring eleg...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Southwood & Co. Adam Style Hand-Painted Settee
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Adam Style settee from Southwood Furniture featuring hand-painted frame with yellow floral clusters and swags, tight back and seat upholstery with curved arm rests on turned arm rest...
Fabric, Wood
$10,299 / set
H 48.43 in W 59.85 in D 25.6 in
Theatrical "Egyptian" Living-Room Set, France, circa 1940s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Unusual and extravagant living-room set comprised of a settee, two armchairs and a table, of Egyptian inspiration. Polychrome decor. The seating pieces are raised on paw feet (front)...
Louis XV Style Carved Creme Paint Decorated Settee
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 34in W: 51 3/4in D: 29in SH: 18 3/4in This vintage Louis XV Style Creme Paint Decorated sofa settee is made of the highest quality! If you look at the photos provid...
Upholstery, Wood
Edwardian Black Chinoiserie Bergère Cane Settee
Located in Hastings, GB
English Edwardian chinoiserie Beech Wood bergère cane settee, circa 1900 Decorated with painted oriental scenes and figures, in superb condition for it’s age All cane work is in good...
Cane, Wood
French 19th Century Directoire Settee
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A sumptuous French 19th century settee, Directoire in style, with original painted finish of French gray-blue and spruce green. The tightly upholstered seatback and bench seat is don...
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
19th Century French Chinoiserie Sofa
Located in Shipston-On-Stour, GB
A stylish mid 19th Century French Chinoiserie salon settee of shapely form, with good quality gilt decoration to the seat back and frieze, featuring figures, buildings and foliage in...
Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
Vintage Regency Printed Chinoiserie Settee
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fantastic vintage Regency settee. A chic brown Chinoiserie print on a curved shape. Carved wood frame with a thick down cushion. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate.
Wood
Sold
H 35.25 in W 45.25 in D 18.5 in
Chinoiserie Brighton Pavillion Burnt Bamboo Arm Settee or Bench with Cane Seat
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
An early burnt bamboo and cane chinoiserie Brighton Pavillion armchair, bench, or settee with woven cane seat. A rare find, this timeless long armchair h...
Bamboo, Cane, Wood
Chinese Painted and Gilt Decorated Bench
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Chinese figural carved, painted and gilt decorated bench, mid 20th century.
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Michael Taylor Far East Collection Settee for Baker
Located in Pasadena, TX
Michael Taylor Far East Collection settee for baker Michael Taylor designed sofa for the Baker Far East collection. Ebonized lattice back and frame with Ming style legs. Upholste...
Walnut
Sold
H 34 in W 47 in L 34 in
Brighton Pavilion Style Bamboo Rattan Settee Loveseat Chinese Chippendale
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Brighton Pavilion style bamboo rattan settee Chinese Chippendale. Item features scorched bamboo frame, cane seat, quality craftsmanship, great style and form, circa mid-late ...
Bamboo, Cane
Sold
H 39.5 in W 73 in D 26 in
Figural Chinese Mother of Pearl Inlaid Carved Hardwood Marble Triptych Settee
Located in Big Flats, NY
A set of four figural Chinese settee features inset marble seat and triptych back framed in dragons and having flanking scroll form supports with mother of pearl inlay featuring foli...
Marble
Midcentury Baker English Chinoiserie Style Sofa
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stunning Mid-Century Modern English chinoiserie style sofa by Baker Furniture. Features a vibrant chinoiserie fabric with flowers and dragons. The frame has English style rolled arms...
Fabric, Wood
Bamboo Leg Newly Upholstered Small Sofa
Located in Stamford, CT
1960s newly upholstered small sofa with bamboo legs. Notched corner detailing. Down filled seat. Newly upholstered in pale purple linen by Schumacher. Seat...
Linen, Wood
White Chinoiserie Pagoda Motif Newly Upholstered Settee
Located in Stamford, CT
Chinoiserie pagoda style settee. Newly painted in an antique white finish. Newly upholstered in Schumacher 'Citrus Garden' printed linen.
Linen, Wood
Hazelton House English Chinoiserie Settee by Baker
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic English rolled arm settee by Baker furniture featuring Hazelton House Chinese garden chinoiserie fabric made from glazed cotton and hand-pr...
Fabric, Mahogany, Down
James Mont Style Asian Modern Chinoiserie Settee by Century
By James Mont
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An iconic looking horseshoe back settee in the style of James Mont and made by Century. It features a burgundy patinated finish, brass detailing, and the original upholstery. We also...
Brass