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.
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Seating
Cane, Elm
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Textile, Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Seating
Cotton, Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Beech
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Gold Leaf
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Seating
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Rosewood
1970s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Satin, Cotton
Early 1900s Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Cane, Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Wood
Mid-20th Century North American Chinoiserie Seating
Walnut
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Seating
Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Brass
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Wood, Upholstery
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Wood, Lacquer
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Cane, Walnut
Early 19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Seating
Rosewood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Seating
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Belgian Black Marble
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Rattan, Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Fabric, Rattan
Early 1900s British Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Lacquer
1970s Philippine Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Bamboo, Rattan
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Wood
Early 19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Cane, Paint, Softwood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Velvet, Wood
1950s Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Lacquer
1960s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Wood
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Seating
Rosewood, Teak
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Walnut
1920s British Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Cane, Wood
Late 19th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Walnut
1890s French Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Silk, Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Bamboo, Cane
20th Century Chinoiserie Seating
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Seating
Wood
Early 20th Century European Chinoiserie Seating
Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Seating
Wood
1970s Philippine Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Rattan
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Seating
Wood, Lacquer
20th Century Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Seating
Fabric, Wood
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Walnut
Early 1900s Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Seating
Fabric, Wood, Lacquer
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Elm, Wicker
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Velvet, Faux Bamboo, Oak
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Linen, Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Upholstery, Wood, Paint