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.
2010s Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Paint
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble, Bronze
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Chinoiserie Furniture
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany, Lacquer, Paint
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1990s Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
1930s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Fruitwood
1960s English Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1910s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Leather, Faux Bamboo, Hardwood
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Wood
Early 2000s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton, Linen
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Enamel
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl, Padouk
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 1900s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Early 1800s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
2010s Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Paint
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1920s European Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
1830s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal, Brass
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wire
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Rosewood
1860s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Early 1900s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 1900s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Chinoiserie furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
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