Chinoiserie Seating
CHINOISERIE STYLE
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.
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Style: Chinoiserie
Black Wood and Red Velvet English Chiavari Chair
Located in New York, NY
A antique English Chiavari black wood painted side chair with striking red velvet tufted seat, England, circa Late-19th century to early-20th century. Chair has spindle back with bla...
Category
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
19th Century English Queen Anne Red Lacquered Chinoiserie Side Chair
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful 19th century English Queen Anne red lacquered chinoiserie side chair. Pretty hand painted design!
Note: There is a companion chair. Sold se...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Wood
Fabulous Mod White Faux Bamboo Wood Pucci Style Upholstered Bench Hollywood Glam
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Fabulous mod white faux bamboo Pucci style upholstered bench. The vintage upholstery shows some light wear with a few minor spots but is very presentable a...
Category
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Rattan, Wood
Antique Pink Chinoiserie Silk Antique Carved Sofa Couch or Daybed
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
An exquisite light pink silk sofa with hand-carved wood decoration. This piece will be perfect in a living room, or even used as a daybed. This sofa sea...
Category
20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Silk, Wood
Pair Mastercraft Asian Inspired Faux Bamboo Brass Lounge Chairs, Mid-Century
By Mastercraft
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Gorgeous pair Asian-inspired Mastercraft modern lounge chairs with brass frame and vintage cushions. The curved brass arms and back are faux bamboo, with horizontally scrolled...
Category
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Brass
Asian Modern Antique Armchairs Black Lacquered & Gold Finish Cane Seat, Pair
Located in Miami, FL
Late 19th century one of a kind pair of chinoiserie antique armchairs black lacquered & gold finish with hand woven cane seats. The Backrest is thick Gilt finish depicting a travel scene...
Category
Late 19th Century South Asian Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Fabric, Giltwood, Cane, Lacquer, Wood
Chinoiserie Living Room with Sofa and Armchairs, France, 1890
Located in Napoli, IT
Chinoiserie living room with sofa and two armchairs, France, 1890.
The sofa and armchairs are upholstered with the original silk, the decorations have been made by hand.
Measures: ...
Category
1890s French Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Silk, Wood
Pair of High Back Decorator Chairs
By James Mont
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of unusual decorator chairs with a high back and handle on the top.
Category
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Upholstery
Pair of Italian Brass Bamboo Side Chairs
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of midcentury Italian brass bamboo side chairs. Newly upholstered in pink velvet fabric. Overall unpolished patina to brass. Stamped ‘Made in Italy’ on the underside.
Seat is 1...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Brass
Pair of Faux Bamboo and Gold Leaf Stools. England, Late 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of faux bamboo and gold leaf stools, England, late 19th century.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Gold Leaf
Unusual 1970s Asian James Mont style Black Lacquered Sofa Midcentury Chinoiserie
By James Mont
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Asian James Mont style sofa with black painted wooden frame- open work design along the sides with gold painted details, circa 1970s. This wonder...
Category
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Upholstery
Faux Bamboo Chinoiserie Gray Painted Dining Chairs, set of 4
Located in Stamford, CT
Set of 4 faux bamboo dining chairs. Loop back design. Newly refinished in antique gray painted finish. Newly upholstered in white linen with gray tape trim.
Also available priced pe...
Category
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Linen, Wood
Set of Eight Midcentury Asian Modern Upholstered Chinoiserie Dining Chairs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sophisticated and substantial set of eight dining chairs. They feature an Asian Modern design concept with high backs. Completed with dark espresso stained wood and fully upholster...
Category
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
19th Century French Chinoiserie Sofa
Located in Gloucestershire, 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 figur...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Gilt Bamboo Style Diminutive Children’s Chairs
Located in Stamford, CT
Unusual pair of diminutive gilt metal bamboo children’s chairs. Burnished gold gilt finish with red undertones. Unusual small size was designed as a children's chair. Small size woul...
Category
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Metal
Set of Midcentury Chinoiserie Style Lounge Chairs by Century Chair Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of horseshoe armchairs with "scrubbed white" finish by the Century Chair Company, 1987. Please confirm item location (NY or NJ) with d...
Category
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Wood, Upholstery
Armchair, Antique Chinoiserie Style with Silk Upholstery
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique chinoiserie armchair is a charming example of the Asian influence on European furnishings, with a tailored architecture, ebonized finish and hand painted gold scenery on almo...
Category
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Silk, Wood
Exquisite Pair of Chinoiserie Ming Style Carved Rosewood Chairs Asian Modern
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Exquisite pair of Chinese carved rosewood chairs made in the Classic Ming style. Featuring geometric carved backs and arms and chow legs...
Category
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Rosewood
Gorgeous Asian Modern Michael Taylor style Chinoiserie Sofa Midcentury
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Gorgeous Asian modern Michael Taylor style chinoiserie sofa with black lacquered base and back. This piece retains it's original aqua turquoise fabri...
Category
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Near Pair of Handcrafted, Chinese Folding Traveller’s Chairs W. Webbing
Located in Lisse, NL
Two very stylish and highly decorative Asian chairs.
These all-handcrafted early 20th century Chinese folding chairs are a rare find. The wonder...
Category
Early 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Cane, Wood
Four Painted Faux Bamboo Wrought Iron Garden Dining Chairs
Located in Sheffield, MA
The chinoiserie style faux bamboo dining chairs are made of wrought iron painted white and have seats upholstered in purple outdoor fabric. The set is suitable for indoor or outdoor ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
1930 Chinese Armchair Sculpted and Gold-Plated with Goblin
Located in Weiningen, CH
1930 Chinese armchair sculpted and gold-plated with goblin.
Category
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Set of Six Queen Anne Style Chinoiserie Dining Chairs
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Very Palm Beach! A great set of Queen Anne style dining chairs with painted Chinoiserie decoration. Beautiful carved cabriole legs and curved stretchers. Priced as a set of six, with...
Category
20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Wood
Pair of Stools Floral Contemporary Hand Embroidered White Gold Gilded Wood Base
Located in Hamburg, DE
One pair of stools, contemporary floral design, hand embroidery beading and threadwork in color light silver and light gold on hand woven silk bruno triplet #68 color white gold, uph...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Silk, Wood
Chinoiserie Style Painted and Decorated Bergere
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chinoiserie style bergere in cream finish with parcel gilt and sage linen upholstery.
Category
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Wood
Unusual Pair of Belgian Hand-Tied Bough Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Whimsical and rare. Constructed of stacked hand-tied boughs.
Category
19th Century Belgian Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Twig
Pair of McGuire "Marview" Rattan Lounge Chairs
By McGuire
Located in Dallas, TX
Asian inspired pair of "Marview" bamboo rattan cube form lounge chairs by McGuire San Francisco. Created in the California organic modern taste featuring a decorative open fretwork d...
Category
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Leather, Upholstery, Bamboo, Rattan
Hickory Chair Company Chinoiserie Fretwork James River Collection Dining Chairs
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Timeless and stylish Chinoiserie white painted dining chairs by Hickory Chair Company. Fretwork side chair is part of the James River Collection, crafted from maple in White Finish....
Category
2010s American Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Black Lacquered Chinoiserie Chairs
Located in Redding, CT
Pair of Black Lacquered Chinoiserie Chairs. Classic Palm Beach Style chairs in the style of Dorothy Draper. Classic Black Gloss finish with blue velvet seat cushions. Ready for use a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Composition
Vintage Chinese Dragon Ceramic Garden Stool Drum Table
Located in West Hartford, CT
Stunning mid century Chinese chinoiserie style ceramic garden stool with carved dragons in the clouds all around. No hallmarks at bottom.
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Ceramic
Antique Louis XV Style Bergere
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Antique Louis XV style bergere with Chinoiserie upholstery. Frame painted in dark blue lacquer. Two available, sold individually. Dimensions: 35"H x 2...
Category
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Fabric
Set of 8 McGuire Bleached Rattan Chinoiserie 'Pagoda' Dining Chairs
By McGuire, Pierre Deux
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Set of 8 McGuire Bleached Rattan Chinoiserie 'Pagoda' Dining Chairs
A beautiful set of 8 McGuire Bleached Rattan Chinoiserie 'Pagoda' Dining Chairs, each embodying timeless elegance and exquisite craftsmanship. Standing 39 inches tall, 20 inches wide, and 22 inches deep, these chairs feature arched trellis backs with a subtle bleached/whitewashed finish, adding a touch of sophistication to any dining space.
The seat height, without the cushion, measures 17.5 inches, while with the custom crisp and colorful Pierre Deux blue and yellow plaid cushions, the seat height extends to a comfortable 19.5 inches. The cushions enhance both the comfort and visual appeal of these already stunning chairs.
Structurally sound and sturdy, this set of dining chairs is ready to be placed and used in your home. Their classic Chinoiserie design seamlessly blends with various interior styles, making them a versatile addition to any dining room decor.
Crafted with McGuire's renowned attention to detail, these chairs promise both durability and style. Whether for everyday dining or special occasions, this set of McGuire dining chairs...
Category
20th Century Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan, Reed, Willow
Rose Tarlow Melrose House Chinoiserie Chairs - a Pair
By Rose Tarlow
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Pair of Rose Tarlow Melrose House Chinoiserie Chairs. This listing is for one pair but we have two pair available.
Category
1990s American Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Cane, Giltwood, Lacquer
Vintage Chinese Hardwood Blue Cloisonné Enamel High Back Oriental Side Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinese Hardwood Blue Cloisonné Enamel High Back Oriental Side Chair. Circa Mid to Late 20th Century. Measurements: 42.5" H x 21" W x 17" D...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Enamel
Vintage Chinoiserie Black Painted Asian Regency Style Dining Chairs - Set of 4
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinoiserie Black Painted Asian Regency Style Dining Chairs - Set of 4. Possibly by Drexel. (4) side chairs, black painted finish, painted scenes to backrests, shapely saber ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
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...
Category
1860s French Antique Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
CENTURY Chin Hua by Raymond Sobota Black Lacquer Side Chair
Located in Charlotte, NC
An Asian style side chair by high-quality furniture maker century. From their "Chin Hua" line designed by Raymond K Sobota. Made in the 1970s in Hickory, North Carolina, USA. Made fr...
Category
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Wood, Fabric, Lacquer
1920s Chinoiserie Daybed French Original Dark Red Lacquer Gilt on Carved Wood
Located in London, GB
A 1920s very beautiful French chinoiserie day bed.
A truly talking piece probably a one off. Curved back with original dark red lacquer background...
Category
1920s French Vintage Chinoiserie Seating
Materials
Wood
Chinoiserie seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Chinoiserie seating for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage seating created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, asian art and furniture, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinoiserie seating made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original seating, popular names associated with this style include Century Furniture, Baker Furniture Company, Michael Taylor, and Ficks Reed. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for seating differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $180 and tops out at $42,500 while the average work can sell for $2,526.
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