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.
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
1930s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paper
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint, Fabric
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Burl, Cane, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Belgian Black Marble
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton, Polyester
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Brass
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
19th Century Oceanic Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Tin
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Tin
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Enamel
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Enamel
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1970s Philippine Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Chrome
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Tin
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Tin
2010s German Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
2010s Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
1930s English Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1930s British Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1930s English Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Early 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Paint
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Mid-19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Other
2010s Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
2010s Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Composition, Metal
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade, Agate
17th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Enamel
Late 19th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Enamel
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century European Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton, Foam
1930s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone