Chinoiserie Seating
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.
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Seating
Fabric, Wood
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Wood
1960s Southeast Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Textile, Wood, Paint
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Seating
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
Early 2000s American Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century Burmese Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Seating
Iron
1880s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Metal
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Leather, Foam, Wood, Upholstery, Walnut, Lacquer
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Wood
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Hardwood
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Linen, Wood
1970s Philippine Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Bamboo, Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Seating
Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Seating
Bamboo
Late 20th Century North American Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Wood
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Fabric, Wood
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Chrome
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Fabric, Wood
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Wood
1990s American Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Wood
Early 2000s Italian Chinoiserie Seating
Wrought Iron
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Metal
1970s Philippine Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Rattan
1970s Philippine Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Rattan
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Seating
Cane, Elm
1960s Belgian Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Ceramic
1970s Philippine Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Rattan
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Cotton
Early 19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Cane, Softwood, Paint
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Leather, Fabric, Rattan
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Seating
Bamboo
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Rattan, Reed, Wood
1980s Thai Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Rosewood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Fabric
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Seating
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Velvet, Wood
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Seating
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Wood
1950s Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Reed, Wood, Rattan
20th Century Chinoiserie Seating
Faux Bamboo
Early 2000s American Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century East Asian Chinoiserie Seating
Wood
Early 1900s French Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Velvet, Giltwood, Lacquer
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Maple
1960s French Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Fabric, Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Wood
1940s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Textile, Wood