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.
Vietnamese Lacquer Box, Vietnam, 20th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Elegant rectangular Vietnamese lacquer box finished in deep black lacquer and decorated with a hand-painted scene of goldfish swimming among aquatic plants in shimmering golden tones...
Lacquer
$2,100Sale Price|30% Off
Vintage Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Carlton House Neoclassical Writing Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th Century Carlton House Writing Desk. Features a chinoiserie lacquered exterior with a bow shaped form featuring a sloped front, eleven drawers and compartments. The desk is...
Hardwood, Lacquer, Paint
Vintage Chinese Garden Stool, Blue and White Porcelain, Circa 1970s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage blue and white Chinese porcelain garden drum stool. Its silhouette mimics an ancient drum, a classic design originally created in imperial China for courtyard and garden use....
Porcelain
$980Sale Price|30% Off
3 Chinoiserie Gold Silver Metallic Tropical Bird Crane Leaf Vine Hanging Panels
Located in Dayton, OH
Three vintage gold and silver metallic painted hanging panels featuring a tropical bird / Crane / Stork theme with vines. Dimensions: 21" x 1" x 62.75" (W x D x H)
Hardwood, Paint
Vintage Chinoiserie Cabinet in Emerald Green, Circa 1970s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage Chinoiserie faux bamboo cabinet. It features a rich emerald, green painted finish paired with tortoiseshell painted faux bamboo trim. Very Palm Beach Regency. The upper doors...
Wire
Pair of Vintage Ralph Lauren Blue .& White Foo Dog Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Ralph Lauren blue and white foo dog lamps by Visual Comfort. A very classic pair with giltwood base and cap. Hand painted Foo Dogs or guardian lions amidst scrollwork and clo...
Porcelain
$7,500Sale Price|25% Off
1920s Antique Chinese Art Deco Indigo Blue Wool Rug with Birds and Butterflies
Located in Norwalk, CT
Elevate your interior with this striking antique Chinese Art Deco wool rug, dating back to the 1920s. Masterfully hand-knotted, it features a rich, luminous royal indigo blue field t...
Wool
La Barge Brass Framed Black Reverse Painted Mirror
By La Barge
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional reverse hand painted black paneled framed mirror with gilt accents depicting herons in flight and cherry blossom foliage. La Barge, 1980s.
Brass
Delft - Blue and White Plaque with polychrome frame, mid 18th century
By Delft
Located in DELFT, NL
Delft blue and white wall plaque with integral polychrome self-frame, mid-18th century. The central decoration depicts an Oriental landscape with blossoming peonies, painted in coba...
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
18th Century Venetian Rococo Chinoiserie Yellow Polychrome Paint Dressing Table
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and most charming authentic antique Venetian Chinoiserie decorated poudreuse (dressing table) with beautifully aged original patina! Venice, Italy, 18th century A wonderful...
Gesso, Mercury Glass, Wood, Oak, Pine, Paint
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Painted and Carved Wood Occasional Table
Located in Elkhart, IN
An exceptionally charming early 20th century chinoiserie painted wood drinks table featuring a richly patinated black ground decorated with hand-painted Chinese figures and floral mo...
Paint, Wood
$16,800Sale Price|30% Off
2 Rare Chinese Marble Foo Dog Guardian Fu Lion Temple Garden Statues 41"
Located in Dayton, OH
Two monumental antique Chinese Foo Dogs, circa mid 20th century. Made of white marble featuring meticulously carved detail. Each Guardian is set over a large plinth base with invert...
Marble
$210Sale Price|30% Off
2 Antique Cantonese Tiger Claw Armored Metal Combat Spiked Gloves Chinoiserie
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique pair of chinese Tiger Claw or Hawk Combat Gloves. Features a metal articulated frame with spiked wrist plates. Figers connected via chain. Dimensions: 9" x 5" x 2.5" (Widt...
Metal
$2,625Sale Price|30% Off
Maitland Smith Japanese Meiji Style Red Lacquered Bamboo Motif Coffee Table 48"
Located in Dayton, OH
An exquisite Japanese Meiji inspired Cocktail Table or Storage Chest by Maitland Smith, circa 1980s. Features a red-orange lacquered case designed with a golden painted bamboo shoot...
Hardwood, Lacquer, Paint
Dutch Delft Polychrome Chinoiserie Table Lamp, Makkum, New Coral Silk Shade
By Royal Tichelaar Makkum, Amitābha Studio
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Dutch Delft polychrome chinoiserie table lamp from a vintage ceramic vase by Tichelaar Makkum, hand-painted, circa 1948-1979, and paired with a new coral pleated silk shade. A flower...
Brass
18th C Style Burton-Ching Charles II Black Chinoiserie Regency Mirror
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
18th C Style Burton-Ching Charles II Black Chinoiserie Regency Mirror
Mirror
Chinoiserie Dutch Delft Faience Floral Lidded Vase Ginger Jar, circa 1920
Located in Pearland, TX
A lovely petite antique Delft Chinoiserie faience cobalt blue and white lidded vase by Boch Keramis, a well-known Belgian maker, circa 1920. Signed on the reverse. This gorgeous vase...
Ceramic
Antique Chinoiserie Black & Gold Tall Chest of Drawers
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Chinoiserie Black & Gold Tall Chest of Drawers.
Wood
$346Sale Price|30% Off
1980s Wildwood Chinoiserie Butterflies Leaves Ivy Table Lamp 31"
Located in Dayton, OH
Circa 1980's Wildwood table lamp - Chinoiserie style white porcelain vase shaped body, hand painted with leaves, branches and butterflies, brass ac...
Porcelain
$507Sale Price|30% Off
Vintage Chinese Black Lacquer Dimunitive Small Side Table Cabinet Chinoiserie
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th Century Chinese Cabinet. Features black trimmed in gold with a geisha scene along the front. The cabinet opens to one shelf for accessory storage. Dimensions: 24" x 14" ...
Hardwood, Lacquer
1970s Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Ginger Jar Table Lamps by Westwood - Pair
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of vintage Chinoiserie ginger jar table lamps By Westwood Lamps USA, Circa 1970s Porcelain bases, with painted traditional Chinese buildings and willow trees, insp...
Brass
Hollywood Regency James Mont Style Tall Patinated Bronze Table Lamp Chinoiserie
By James Mont
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Monumental midcentury modern bronze table lamp in the style of James Mont. This tall sculptural Chinoiserie lamp features a hand...
Metal, Brass, Bronze
$297Sale Price|30% Off
4 Liu Kuiling Beasts Hanging Scrolls Cats Monkeys Rabbits Squirrels 38"
Located in Dayton, OH
Four vintage Chinese hanging scroll prints after Liu Kuiling, circa 1979. Titled the Four Beasts paintings collection and includes: Rabbits in a Bamboo garden; Squirrels in a gnarle...
Paper
$2,730Sale Price|30% Off
Antique Chinese Figural Black Lacquer Soapstone MOP Folding Screen Room Divider
Located in Dayton, OH
An Exquisite Mid 20th Century Chinoiserie Six Panel Folding Screen. Features a black lacquer frame decorated with a traditional oriental garden scene with raised soapstone figures a...
Soapstone, Brass
$2,100Sale Price|30% Off
Vintage Tansu Style Chinoiserie Lowboy Credenza Buffet Dresser Sideboard Cabinet
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th Century Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Sideboard. Features Korean Tansu inspired styling with applied brass detail. The case is finished in black lacquer with colorful orienta...
Brass
$420Sale Price|30% Off
Antique Chinese Export Canton Blue Willow Gilt Plate Platter Tray 8"
Located in Dayton, OH
Small late 19th century Chinese Export porcelain platter / plate - rectangular in shape with rounded corners and gilt detail at the edge, decorated with a Blue Willow style lands and...
Porcelain
Vintage Chinoiserie Blue and White Porcelain Umbrella Stand
Located in Elkhart, IN
A classic blue and white porcelain umbrella stand in the chinoiserie tradition, featuring Asian floral designs. The crisp cobalt decoration is framed by intricate border work, giving...
Ceramic
$5,250Sale Price|25% Off
1920s Antique Chinese Art Deco Rug Floral & Bird Motif in Taupe & Amethyst
Located in Norwalk, CT
This stunning Antique Chinese Art Deco rug is a masterclass in the "Nichols" style of the early 20th century. Set against a sophisticated, variegated taupe-mauve field, the rug featu...
Wool
$546Sale Price|30% Off
Mid Century Chinese Famille Rose Floral & Fauna Polychrome Garden Stool Seat 18"
Located in Dayton, OH
An exceptional mid 20th century Chinese Famille Rose porcelain garden stool. Features a charming floral and fauna design over white porcelain with colorful detail. The seat showca...
Porcelain
Gracie Style 8 Panel Chinoiserie Painted Wallpaper Screen 12 Ft
By Gracie
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A monumental and decorative eight-panel Chinoiserie folding wallpaper screen attributed to Gracie. The grand screen features a beautifully hand-painted chinoiserie garden scene execu...
Wood, Paper
Henry Link Chinoiserie King Size Headboard
By Henry Link
Located in Bradenton, FL
A Chinoiserie king size headboard attributed to Henry Link Furniture. Central panels with burlwood veneers are hand-painted with Asian river scenes in gold with white and black detai...
Wood
$1,400Sale Price|30% Off
Chinese Red & Black Lacquer Figural Soapstone Dry Bar Cabinet Chinoiserie
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid 20th Century Chinese Red and Black Lacquer Soapstone Inlaid Dry Bar, circa 1960s. Features a demilune form with flip top opening to a mirrored area for glassware and bottles as ...
Soapstone
Asian Chinoiserie Coromandel Six-Panel Gilt Bronze Folding Screen
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Spectacular six panel Chinese coromandel folding screen with hand-painted relief gilt decoration. This large Chinoiserie room divider features Asian landscape scenes depicting Chin...
Brass
Blue and White Porcelain Chinoiserie Chinese Garden Stool or Side Table
Located in Elkhart, IN
A classic blue and white porcelain garden stool, decorated with traditional Chinese motifs and stylized floral elements. The round form is punctuated by pierced medallions, giving th...
Porcelain
$3,850Sale Price|30% Off
Chinese Coromandel Black Lacquer 8 Panel Folding Screen Room Divider 128"
Located in Dayton, OH
Impressive mid 20th century Chinese coromandel lacquered eight panel folding screen featuring a grand Palace / Courtyard scene. In this scene, the Emperor sits central, flanked by Ge...
Hardwood, Lacquer
Chinoiserie Large Blue and White Porcelain Ginger Jars, Pair
Located in Elkhart, IN
A classic pair of blue and white ginger jars, decorated throughout with delicate bird and flowering branch motifs. The pattern is dense yet balanced, wrapping the form in movement wh...
Porcelain
Important Maison Gripoix Floral Arrangement, Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Riverdale, NY
Important Gripoix Floral Arrangement, from the former YSL Showroom on West 57th St in New York City. One of an important trio that were used for decoration within the Lalanne designed iron showcases...
Silver Plate, Bronze
Decorative Hand-Painted Pagoda Style Chinoiserie Shelf
Located in Bruton, GB
A charming Chinosierie style pagoda topped shelf featuring a hand-painted deep green finish with gilt accents and delicate floral decoration throughout. Inspired by Chinoiserie and A...
Hardwood, Giltwood
Black Lacquer Side Table with Gilt Motif
Located in Greenwich, CT
Black Lacquer Side Table with Gilt Motif
Lacquer
Pair of Chinese Yellow Porcelain Lamps w/Lotus & Crane Motif, Brass Greek Key
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This charming pair of small bedside lamps is crafted from vibrant yellow-glazed porcelain vases in a classic Chinese baluster form, each fitted with a pair of elephant-head handles a...
Porcelain
$350Sale Price|30% Off
Chinese Hand Painted Silk 4 Panel Folding Screen Scholars Landscape Bógǔ tú 59"
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid 20th Century Chinese Hand Painted Silk Folding Screen. Titled Bógǔ tú which translates to pictures of antiquities. The screen depicts a gathering of scholars by the water. Ant...
Silk, Hardwood, Paint
$339Sale Price|72% Off
Georgian Masons Ironstone Large Platter in Table & Flowerpot Pattern, circa 1818
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good hand painted Mason's ironstone large Platter or Meat Plate, in the Table and Flowerpot gilded pattern, from their earliest George IIIrd period, circa 1818. The p...
Ironstone
Antique Burnt Bamboo Etagere, Japanned Shelves, Circa 1890, Rare Find
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Wonderful, rare antique three tier burnt bamboo small etagere with three japanned hand painted shelves.
Bamboo
$1,650 / set
Pair Of Vintage Chinoiserie Style Hall Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A pair of Chinoiserie-style black lacquered and gilt-decorated chairs featuring intricate hand-painted motifs and a distinctive shield-shaped or "spoonback" silhouette. The back with...
Wood
Italian Brass Faux Bamboo Bench
Located in Stamford, CT
Italian brass bamboo bench. Newly upholstered in Schumacher Nakuru epingle woven fabric. Seat is 16.5” tall.
Brass
Pair of 1930s Losol Ware Chinoiserie Potiche Ceramic Lamps by Keeling & Co
Located in London, GB
A decorative pair of English Losol Ware chinoiserie ceramic table lamps by Keeling & Co., Burslem, dating to the 1930s. Executed in richly ornamented Losol Ware with a softly patina...
Brass
$13,200Sale Price|20% Off
George II Style Black & Gold Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
George II Style Black & Gold Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase.
Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer
$1,959Sale Price|35% Off
Antique Chinoiserie Style Bamboo Rattan Card Table (circa 1910)
Located in London, GB
Antique Chinoiserie style bamboo and rattan card / mahjong table featuring beautifully hand-painted Asian herons or egrets (circa 1910). "Bamboo goes in and out of style, but it has ...
Bamboo
Vintage Chinoiserie Style Mirror With Gilt Relief Decoration
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and fantastic Chinoiserie Mirror, likely English. Very tall, the Mirror has an Ebonized Frame with raised and Gilt painted Asian decorative motifs surrounding the frame inclu...
Mirror, Wood
$770Sale Price|25% Off
Antique Willow Pattern Platter Large, Circa 1850
Located in Worcester Park, GB
This exquisite large ceramic serving platter features the timeless Blue Willow pattern, a beloved design that blends romantic legend with classic artistry. Dating back to the 1850s, ...
Ceramic
Circa 1880s English Two-Tire Square Bamboo Side Table
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1880s 2-tier square bamboo side table, English. The surfaces now artisan decoupaged with shells. Decorative strut supports under the upper tier. Well figured bamboo. 13.75" sq....
Bamboo, Lacquer
Baker Furniture McMillen Collection Venetian Bureau With Secretary Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
An extremely rare and outstanding Venetian Chinoiserie style bureau with drop front secretary desk and hutch top From the exclusive "McMillen Collection" by Baker Furniture USA, Ci...
Brass
Chinoiserie Large Blue and White Porcelain Covered Jars, Pair
Located in Elkhart, IN
A classic pair of blue and white ginger jars, decorated throughout with delicate Chinese landscapes and floral motifs. The pattern is dense yet balanced, wrapping the form in movemen...
Ceramic
$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
$3,975Sale Price|25% Off
Hand-Knotted Modern Chinese Botanical Wool Area Rug - Slate Grey & Marigold
Located in Norwalk, CT
Elevate your space with this hand-knotted wool rug, blending classical Chinese aesthetics with contemporary design. Its slate grey field features subtle color variations, serving as ...
Wool
Drexel Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Klismos Regency Style Dining Chairs, Set of 6
By Drexel
Located in Germantown, MD
Set of Six Drexel Furniture Black Lacquered Chinoiserie Klismos Regency Style Dining Chairs. Four side chairs and two scroll arm captain chairs Measure 19.5" in width, 21" in depth...
Upholstery, Mahogany, Lacquer
Delft - 18th century 'Chinoiserie' Blue and White Delft Plate
By Delft
Located in DELFT, NL
Delft Tin-glazed earthenware plate decorated in blue on a white ground, featuring a chinoiserie inspired landscape. Dutch, Delft, second half 18th century. Condition: Very good. Mi...
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
English 19th Century Japanned Chinoiserie Black Lacquered Display Cabinet
Located in Atlanta, GA
A striking English 19th-century japanned display cabinet or bookcase, richly decorated with gilt chinoiserie scenes on a black lacquered ground. The piece features an upper glazed ca...
Glass, Wood
Pair Sunset Cosco Large Ceramic Baluster Urn Table Lamps, 1960s-1970s
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Pair of vintage designer art ceramic or pottery lamps feature large elongated urn or baluster shaped bodies, decorated in stunning monochromatic glossy glaze with bright gold accent...
Gold Plate
Dennis & Leen Chinoiserie Iron Gilt Tray Cocktail Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
An elegant gilded iron and lacquered tray cocktail or coffee table by designed by Dennis & Leen, Los Angeles, California. The Dennis and Leen "Shaped Chinoiserie Tray Table" (Mod...
Iron
The former First Lady kept the Victorian antique, with an elegant chinoiserie design, for the rest of her life.
Taking us on a whirlwind tour of spaces that use charming prints with aplomb, the interiors expert makes a compelling case for ditching staid solids when tackling your next decorating project.