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.
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
1960s Belgian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
Mid-20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft, Faience
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton, Wool
Mid-20th Century Turkish Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton, Wool
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Turkish Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
1960s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1960s Belgian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Oak
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Polish Chinoiserie Furniture
2010s Moroccan Chinoiserie Furniture
Clay, Earthenware
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1960s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Terracotta
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Teak
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1880s Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
1890s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Enamel
Early 20th Century Southeast Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic