Chinoiserie Furniture
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 English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Enamel
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer, Upholstery
Late 18th Century Unknown Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
21st Century and Contemporary French Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton, Linen, Down
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Leaf
2010s Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Faux Bamboo, Mirror, Wood
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
1970s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk, Wood, Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal, Rock Crystal
1830s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1880s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Early 19th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Pine, Paint
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Stone, Jade
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Enamel
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Mirror
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
2010s Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Walnut
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Rosewood
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Textile, Wool
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Cane, Wood, Burl, Lacquer
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery
2010s Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
1890s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Pine, Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Enamel
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1880s British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold, Enamel
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Rosewood
2010s Hungarian Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1990s French Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Paint
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1920s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Paint, Wood
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Mahogany
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Chinoiserie furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
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