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 American Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Seating
Porcelain
20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Leather, Bamboo, Rattan
2010s Mexican Chinoiserie Seating
Linen, Hardwood, Wood
Mid-20th Century Southeast Asian Chinoiserie Seating
Bamboo
1970s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Fabric, Cherry
Mid-20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Seating
Aluminum, Steel
1980s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Textile, Satin, Silk, Velvet
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Bamboo, Wicker
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Fabric, Cherry
19th Century Indian Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Seating
Elm, Lacquer
2010s British Chinoiserie Seating
Brass
1890s Asian Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Wood
Late 19th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Walnut
20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Brass
1930s English Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Seating
Metal
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Seating
Cotton, Wood
1970s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Wood
Mid-18th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Wood, Lacquer
Early 19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Hardwood
1970s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Satin, Cotton
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Mahogany
Late 18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Leather
20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Walnut
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Silk, Beech
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Wood, Velvet
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Fabric, Bamboo
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Seating
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Seating
Rosewood
1970s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Fabric, Wood
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Bamboo
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Rosewood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Fabric, Walnut
1960s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Seating
Silk, Bamboo
20th Century Chinoiserie Seating
Porcelain
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Wood, Burl
1960s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Brass
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Rosewood
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Wood
Mid-20th Century North American Chinoiserie Seating
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Seating
Cotton, Rosewood
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Wood, Fabric, Faux Bamboo, Cane
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Rosewood
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Seating
Stone, Brass
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Seating
Rosewood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Bamboo, Cane
2010s Asian Chinoiserie Seating
Silk, Rattan, Wenge
20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Seating
Wood, Lacquer, Paint