Chinoiserie Cabinets
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 French Chinoiserie Cabinets
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass, Enamel
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
Late 20th Century North American Chinoiserie Cabinets
Bamboo, Lacquer
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Cabinets
Wood, Glass
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Cabinets
Glass, Rosewood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Cabinets
Metal
1920s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Cabinets
Wood
1980s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Cabinets
Mirror, Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Cabinets
Metal
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Cabinets
Metal
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Cabinets
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Cabinets
Lacquer
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Cabinets
Wood
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Cabinets
Wood
Mid-20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Cabinets
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Cabinets
Lacquer
1960s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Cabinets
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Cabinets
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Cabinets
Soapstone
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Cabinets
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Cabinets
Wood, Paint
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Cabinets
Wood
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Cabinets
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Cabinets
Wood, Lacquer
18th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Cabinets
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Cabinets
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Cabinets
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Cabinets
Elm, Paint
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Cabinets
Bronze
1870s European Antique Chinoiserie Cabinets
Gold
Mid-20th Century East Asian Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Cabinets
Gold
Early 1900s Asian Antique Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
1960s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
1870s French Antique Chinoiserie Cabinets
Mahogany
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Cabinets
Lacquer
1880s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Cabinets
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Cabinets
Poplar
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Cabinets
Metal
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Cabinets
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Cabinets
Marble
Late 20th Century North American Chinoiserie Cabinets
Velvet, Paint
Late 20th Century North American Chinoiserie Cabinets
Leather, Glass, Lacquer
20th Century British Chinoiserie Cabinets
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Cabinets
Glass, Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Cabinets
Lacquer
Late 20th Century Taiwanese Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Cabinets
Faux Bamboo, Wood, Wicker