Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage 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.
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Glass, Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Glass, Wood
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Lacquer
1960s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Soapstone
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Oak
2010s Asian Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Bamboo
18th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
1910s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Bone, Hardwood, Boxwood
20th Century Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Metal
2010s Asian Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood, Walnut
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Bamboo, Rattan, Mirror
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Marble, Bronze
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
20th Century Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Metal
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Faux Bamboo, Wood, Lacquer
1920s American Vintage Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Marble
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Upholstery, Glass, Wood
1850s British Antique Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Bronze
20th Century American Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
1960s French Vintage Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century European Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
2010s American Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Marble
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
20th Century Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Marble, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Marble
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Gold Leaf
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Metal
1930s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Walnut
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Metal
1970s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Silver
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Breccia Marble
1920s English Vintage Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Walnut
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass, Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Metal
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Marble
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Faux Bamboo, Wicker, Wood
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Glass, Wood
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Lacquer
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Bamboo
2010s Spanish Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Shell, Glass, Wood, Ebony