Chinoiserie Dressers
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.
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dressers
Wood
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dressers
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Dressers
Nickel
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dressers
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Dressers
Wood
20th Century American Chinoiserie Dressers
Hardwood
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Dressers
Metal
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dressers
Brass
2010s Asian Chinoiserie Dressers
Bamboo
20th Century American Chinoiserie Dressers
Brass
1920s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dressers
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Dressers
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Dressers
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Dressers
Brass
Mid-20th Century North American Chinoiserie Dressers
Wood
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Dressers
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Dressers
Pine
Early 1900s French Antique Chinoiserie Dressers
Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Dressers
Silver
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Dressers
Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dressers
Brass
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dressers
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Dressers
Brass
2010s American Chinoiserie Dressers
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Dressers
Brass
1940s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dressers
Brass
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dressers
Brass
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dressers
Brass
1970s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Dressers
Brass
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dressers
Brass
20th Century Chinoiserie Dressers
Mirror, Wood
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Dressers
Metal
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Dressers
Brass
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dressers
Brass
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dressers
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Dressers
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Dressers
Brass
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dressers
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Dressers
Hardwood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Dressers
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Dressers
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Dressers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Chinoiserie Dressers
Faux Bamboo
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dressers
Wood
1950s Vintage Chinoiserie Dressers
Hardwood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Dressers
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Dressers
Wood, Paint