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.
Vintage Black Lacquered Chinoiserie Buffet with Flora Design
Located in Fort Washington, MD
Stunning Black Lacquered Buffet/cabinet with a single adjustable shelf inside, with and amazing hand painted design of flora in rich colors accented in gold A rare piece that will ...
Wood, Paint
19th C. Italian Venetian Hand Painted Demilune Buffet Cabinet with 3 Drawers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique 19th C. Italian Venetian Polychrome Painted Demilune Buffet Cabinet with 3 Drawers. Item features floral painted details throughout, cream and gold distressed finish with blu...
Wood
Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture Chinoiserie Elm Wood Sideboard or Bar Cabinet
By Baker Furniture Company, Michael Taylor
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie sideboard buffet or bar cabinet By Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1970s Carved solid elm wood, wit...
Brass
$4,260Sale Price|20% Off
1940's Hollywood Regency Asian Chinoiserie Black Lacquered and Painted Buffet
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Beautiful 1940's Hollywood Regency Asian/ Chinoiserie Black Lacquered Cabinet/ Buffet/ Sideboard/ Credenza/ Dry Bar. Beautifully exec...
Wood
Chinoiserie Style Black Lacquer w/ Gold Accent Painted Buffet Cabinet
Located in Pasadena, TX
This buffet cabinet is designed in the Chinoiserie style. It's black lacquered with lots of gold accent panels. These gold panels are painted with different floral and bird artworks....
Glass, Paint, Wood, Lacquer
$2,136Sale Price|20% Off
Broyhill Premier Chin Hua Buffet
By Broyhill
Located in Pasadena, TX
Broyhill Furniture has made made good quality furniture for decades. This is a Chin Hua styled piece from their Premier line of furniture. It has brass accents and pulls. The walnut ...
Wood
$4,640Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Wood Chinoiserie Fretwork Fret Mirrored Credenza Buffet Sideboard Doors
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Beautiful vintage wood credenza, buffet, sideboard with mirrored doors and fretwork. Each pair of doors open to reveal one adjustable shelf on ea...
Mirror, Wood
Mandarin Lacquered Asian Chinoiserie Buffet Server Dry Bar by White Furniture Co
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. White Furniture Co Mandarin Lacquered Asian Chinoiserie buffet server...
Glass, Mahogany
$962Sale Price|30% Off
White Furniture Mahogany & Burl Mandarin Chinoiserie Flip Top Buffet Server
Located in Dayton, OH
1980s White Furniture Company Mandarin dining flip top server or dry bar. Features a rectangular form with lacquer, mahogany and burlwood. The top has a unique sliding mechanism an...
Brass
Antique Chinoiserie Hunt Style Buffet Sideboard Server Hand Painted Cabriole Leg
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous Antique Hunt style buffet, sideboard, cabinet, or server comprised of Chinoiserie hand painted details and cabriole legs with ball feet. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear even if they have been restored or refinished. This piece has wonderful age patina including small nick; dings; missing paint in spots; and fading & rings on its top. Please see photos and zoom in for details as they are part of the condition report. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, 1915. As they say… Some things just get better with age. We would definitely agree considering this beauty is over 100 years of age!!! This is an INCREDIBLE Hunt style antique cabinet which could be utilized as a buffet, sideboard, or server comprised of an oak frame with a fabulous, scalloped bottom edge and it is embellished with lovely, delicate hand painted Asian scenes and trim. It has two dovetail drawers featuring beautiful antique brass drop pulls...
Brass
$2,410Sale Price|20% Off
H 38.19 in W 39.38 in D 24.41 in
Italy Late 19th Century Inlaid Walnut Buffet with Drawer or Low Cabinet
Located in Brescia, IT
This is a pleasant credenza or low cabinet, handmade in walnut with an inlaid in the same wood. The top has very beautiful drawing that distinguishes this antique buffet. Hand made...
Walnut
$9,029
H 38.98 in W 111.03 in D 23.23 in
Original Vintage Antique Large French Art Deco Walnut Buffet with Black GlassTop
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This classic Art Deco buffet was made in France during the 1920s. It fascinates with its elegant style and clean lines. The buffet is finished in walnut wood with a wide, irregular g...
Nickel
Mastercraft Carpathian Elm and Brass Sideboard
By William Doezema, Mastercraft
Located in Hanover, MA
SATURDAY SALE William Doezema designed for Mastercraft Furniture Co. carpathian elm sideboard consisting of an elongated burl top with rosewood border ...
Brass
1830s Painted Buffet
Located in London, GB
A characterful early 19th century continental buffet, a perfect example of our Antiquarium aesthetic, which celebrates old-world elegance "spoiled a little to make it livable". The ...
Wood
$6,950
H 43.5 in W 59.75 in D 22.5 in
Italian 19th Century Walnut Buffet with Three Drawers over Two Molded Doors
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian walnut buffet from the 19th century, with three drawers, a pair of molded doors and delicately carved front feet. Created in Italy during the 19th century, this walnut buf...
Brass
Broyhill Premier Emphasis Collection Mid Century Dresser
By Broyhill
Located in New York, NY
Classic American made mid century dresser, by the noted furniture company Broyhill, as part of their premier Emphasis collection. This example features two banks of drawers, each hav...
Wood
Mid-Century Walnut Buffet China Cabinet Broyhill Brasilia
By Oscar Niemeyer, Broyhill Brasilia
Located in Baltimore, MD
Beautiful, retro Mid-Century Modern detailed proportioned walnut Broyhill Brasilia buffet China cabinet with detachable hutch in great origina...
Brass
Olavi Hanninen - Sideboard - Elm - 1950 - Brutalist
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Austere yet richly tactile, this sideboard by Olavi Hänninen commands with its elemental massing and raw sculptural presence. Hewn from deeply grained elm, the façade is animated by...
Elm
$1,620
H 30.5 in W 33.5 in D 16 in
Regency Style Red Lacquer Chinoiserie Cabinet W/ Faux Bamboo Accents
Located in Kennesaw, GA
Perfect for that powder bath! This is a red lacquer chinoiserie cabinet with gold faux bamboo accents. The cabinet opens to a single sh...
Wood
$7,180Sale Price|20% Off
H 34.26 in W 68.71 in D 25.4 in
Antique Carved Walnut French Provincial Large Buffet or Sideboard Cabinet
Located in Miami, FL
Grand antique French walnut Louis XIV buffet ~ Sideboard is a masterpiece of the cabinetmaker's art. Rendered from sumptuous walnut, it features an intriguing design that comprises t...
Walnut
19th Century Painted Buffet
Located in Houston, TX
Swedish Gustavian buffet with a beautiful antique painted finish. Early 19th century. This is a solid piece and in great antique condition.
Wood
$2,475
H 36 in W 78.75 in D 20 in
Black hand-painted Buffet or Sideboard probably made in Asia Well Constructed
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Black hand-painted Buffet or Sideboard probably made in Asia, but that is strictly a hypothesis based on the wood species, which appears to be similar to mahogany. When we look close...
Wrought Iron
Antique Qing Dynasty Chinese Cabinet Bar Buffet Server
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Elm
Sold
H 34 in W 62 in D 21 in
Green and Gold Lacquer French Louis XV Chinoiserie Painted Buffet Sideboard
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a stunning green and gold lacquer custom-finished Chinoiserie designed sideboard or buffet. This piece was created for a wealthy customer in West Chester, New York. The buffe...
Walnut
1970s Vintage Drexel Heritage Chinoiserie Credenza
By Drexel
Located in North Canton, OH
Fabulous vintage hand painted Chinoiserie Credenza from Drexel Heritage. This is a rare one. Not often do you find the interior doors that have been hand painted as well. It’s also ...
Lacquer
1970's Henredon Faux Goatskin Collection Sideboard/Buffet
By Henredon
Located in North Canton, OH
Impeccably kept example. Part of Henredon's Faux Goatskin Finish Collection, this beauty featured a hand applied lacquered finish first introduced on furniture by Karl Springer two d...
Wood, Lacquer
Vintage Chinoiserie Découpage Credenza
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage Chinoiserie Decopage Credenza. Stunning 20th century four door credenza, buffet, chest or console with a beautiful equestrian themed Chino...
Iron
Chinoiserie Lacquered Buffet Gilded Asian Vintage
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on CONTINUE READING at the bottom of this page. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Vintage Chinoiserie ...
Brass
Vintage Drexel Heritage Chinoiserie Sideboard
By Drexel
Located in North Canton, OH
Beautiful and Rare black lacquered Sideboard with artist hand painted Chinoiserie Scenes by Drexel Heritage. Drexel was one of the few premier American Furniture Maker's with a dedicated line of Chinoiserie Furniture. The collections are some of the most sought after in today's vintage furniture market...
Lacquer
20th Century Black Lacquered Wood Small Server / Dry Bar
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautifully hand painted and decorated black lacquer wood small server / dry bar. The server features heavy hand painted chinoiserie scene all around with...
Brass
chinoiserie Regency Style Union National Black & Gilt Buffet Sideboard
Located in Topeka, KS
Magnificent vintage Regency style Union National Inc patinated black painted & gilt buffet or sideboard. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. This piece has a new coat of poly on all surfaces. The top is a bit rough in places, but it has a nice, aged patina that we think looks wonderful. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. circa, 1940-1960s. NOTE: If you love this Regency style Union National Inc patinated black painted & gilt buffet we also have the matching 3 leaf dining table...
Brass
Asian Chin Hua Raymond Sobota Century Furniture Server
By Century Furniture, Raymond Sabota
Located in Miami, FL
Asian Chin Hua Raymond Sobota century furniture server Offered for sale is an Asian style server by the high-quality furniture maker Century, from th...
Brass
Sold
H 30.5 in W 84 in D 19 in
Chinoiserie Hand Carved Rosewood Credenza Buffet Cabinet from Bangkok Thailand
Located in Topeka, KS
Gorgeous Chinoiserie hand carved Rosewood credenza buffet cabinet from Bangkok, Thailand. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. There is a little chip on one of the feet and a nick in the top. Both flaws have been repaired. It has been given a fresh coat of Danish oil. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, Mid-20th Century. NOTE: If you love this hand carved Rosewood credenza from Bangkok we have a matching desk and desk chair and additional interesting pieces form Bangkok if they are still available. We have also listed the three-piece set of desk, credenza, and desk chair into one listing in case you are interested in this as a set. What do we have here… a credenza? Yes! A buffet? Well, yes! A cabinet? Also… YES!! This is an absolutely fabulous hand carved credenza, buffet, or cabinet from Bangkok, Thailand comprised of gorgeous Rosewood featuring two large front doors...
Bronze
Sold
H 38 in W 48 in D 19 in
Mid Century Korean Pine Tansu Dowry Silver Chest Buffet Server Cabinet Campaign
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid-century Korean pine brass mounted silverware chest, sideboard / tansu. Featuring profuse engraved brass butterfly and medallion mounts, two blind doors revealing eight fitted interior upper drawers, and one lower long drawer. Includes ornate brass lock and key.
Brass