Skip to main content

Chinoiserie Furniture

CHINOISERIE STYLE

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.

1
1
to
2
2
2
2
186
10
5
5
4
4
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
2
100
71
45
32
32
Style: Chinoiserie
Creator: John Widdicomb
John Widdicomb Chinoiserie Paint Decorated Commode Buffet with Gilded Details
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
For customers that require professional insured delivery we are proud to have teamed up with a nationwide professional delivery company that will assist with coordinating your delive...
Category

2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Mario Buatta John Widdicomb Faux Tortoiseshell Chinoiserie Dining Table 2 Leaves
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Mario Buatta John Widdicomb Faux Tortoiseshell Chinoiserie Dining Table with 2 Leaves. Item features (2) 20" leaves, faux tortoiseshell finish, incised chinoiserie scenes to the tabl...
Category

Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture

Materials

Lacquer, Wood

Related Items
Mid Century Modern Extension Dining Table by J. Stuart Clingman /John Widdicomb
Located in New York, NY
Classic Mid Century dining table designed by J. Stuart Clingman for John Widdicomb. The table features two architectural pedestal bases, and comes with two original leaves. This example is in very good, clean, original and ready to use condition, showing only light cosmetic wear, normal and consistent with age. As is commonly found in vintage extension dining tables...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture

Materials

Walnut

French Art Deco Macassar Buffet, 1930s
Located in Wiesbaden, DE
French Art Deco buffet. The buffet features stunning Macassar ebony wood grain with a decorative pattern design. It offers ample storage, with shelve behind two rotates doors...
Category

1930s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture

Materials

Macassar

French Art Deco Macassar Buffet, 1930s
French Art Deco Macassar Buffet, 1930s
H 28.75 in W 51.19 in D 20.48 in
John Widdicomb Mid-Century Modern Burl Wood Parsons Dining Table, Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern burled olive wood Parsons extension dining table By John Widdicomb USA, Circa 1970s Measures: 64"W x 42"D x 29"H. Extends up to 104"W with two 20...
Category

1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture

Materials

Burl

T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Round Extending Dining Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Elegant Mid-Century Modern dining table designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Furniture Co. The table features two 18 inch leaves that extend the top from 44.5 inches round to an oval or race track form measuring 80.5 inches wide. Crafted from walnut with a dark rich finish. The top is supported by a column with four gracefully curved legs. The top has a beveled edge with matching leaves. Matching chairs also available. From a historic Napa Valley Winery...
Category

20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture

Materials

Walnut

John Widdicomb French Provincial Louis XV Walnut Dining Table, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional French Provincial Louis XV style extension dining table By John Widdicomb USA, Circa 1980s Gorgeous book-matched figured walnut, with carved solid walnut cabr...
Category

Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Mario Buatta for John Widdicomb Regency Style Ebonized End Table
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Beautiful eye-catching Regency style end table with paint decorated top and ebonized apron and legs with gilt rings, splayed feet, and brass reverse "C" stretchers, designed by Mario...
Category

Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture

Materials

Wood

Louis XVI Style Chinoiserie Decorated Buffet
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Louis XVI style mahogany buffet with raised chinoiserie decorations, gilt bronze mounts and a marble top, mid-20th century.
Category

Mid-20th Century European Chinoiserie Furniture

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Louis XVI Style Chinoiserie Decorated Buffet
Louis XVI Style Chinoiserie Decorated Buffet
H 35.75 in W 57.5 in D 21.25 in
Faux Goat Skin Lacquered Dining Table With Two Leaves, Circa 1980s
Located in Peabody, MA
Racetrack oval form dining table in a faux goat skin lacquered finish, circa 1980s. Includes two leaves. Measures 60" wide without the leaves, ...
Category

1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture

Materials

Lacquer, Wood

Venetian Scenic Bombe Chinoiserie Painted Commode with a Faux Marble Top
Located in Stamford, CT
An antique Venetian scenic chinoiserie bombe painted commode with a faux marble top. This finely detailed commode is done in an off white paint background with a brownish beige paint...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture

Materials

Wood

John Widdicomb Mid-Century Modern Walnut Dining Table, Newly Refinished
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency walnut extension dining table By John Widdicomb USA, Circa 1970s Measures: 72.5"W x 42"D x 29"H. Extends up to 132.5"W with three 2...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture

Materials

Walnut

John Widdicomb French Directoire Style Marble Top Console Server
Located in Southampton, NJ
John Widdicomb Directoire style two tier console server Buffet with marble top inserts, brass gallery and three storage drawers. Beautifully maintained in exceptional condition; read...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture

Materials

Marble, Brass

1950s John Widdicomb Louis XV Style Bombay Hand Painted Commode
Located in Germantown, MD
John Widdicomb Louis XV Style Bombe hand painted commode. Approximate measurements are 40W x 19D x 31.25H.
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Chinoiserie Furniture

Materials

Brass

Previously Available Items
1980s John Widdicomb Chinoiserie Display Case
Located in Hartville, OH
Absolutely pristine one owner example of this broken arch pediment Chinoiserie Case from famed John Widdicomb. Magnificent hand painted surfaces in extraordinary detail. Dark forest ...
Category

1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mario Buatta for John Widdicomb Chinoiserie Faux Tortoise Shell Side Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie tea table or occasional side table By Mario Buatta for John Widdicomb USA, 1980 Faux tortoise s...
Category

1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture

Materials

Wood

John Widdicomb Signed Red Chinoiserie Secretary Secretaire Desk
Located in West Hartford, CT
Rare signed John Widdicomb red chinoiserie midcentury secretary desk that comes in two pieces, a top and a bottom. It features multiple drawers and compartments, including a hidden s...
Category

1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mario Buatta for John Widdicomb Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Two-Tier Tea Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie two-tier occasional side table or tea table on casters By Mario Buatta for John Widdicomb USA, circa 1980s Carved wood in faux torto...
Category

1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture

Materials

Wood

John Widdicomb Signed Red Chinoiserie Secretary Secretaire Desk
Located in West Hartford, CT
Rare signed John Widdicomb red chinoiserie midcentury secretary desk that comes in two pieces, a top and a bottom. It features multiple drawers and compartments, including a hidden s...
Category

1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture

Materials

Wood

John Widdicomb Signed Red Chinoiserie Secretary Secretaire Desk
Located in West Hartford, CT
Rare signed John Widdicomb red chinoiserie midcentury secretary desk that comes in two pieces, a top and a bottom. It features multiple drawers and compartments, including a hidden s...
Category

1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture

Materials

Wood

John Widdicomb Wall / Console Mirror Parcel Gilt and Decorated Shell Carved
Located in Stamford, CT
John Widdicomb parcel gilt and decorated chinoiserie shell carved wall / console mirror. GXA.
Category

1950s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture

Materials

Wood

John Widdicomb Bombay Chinoiserie Paint Decorated Commode Chest Raised Carvings
Located in Stamford, CT
John Widdicomb Bombay chinoiserie paint decorated commode chest with raised carvings and figures. GXA.
Category

1950s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Mario Buatta for Widdicomb Asian Chinoiserie Ebonized Nesting Tables
Located in Hudson, NY
Decorative pair of very usable solid nesting tables with a subtle decorative chinoiserie style. These tables also function well independently. Constructed of ebonized mahogany. Finis...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

20th Century Queen Anne Revival English Chinoiserie Desk by John Widdicomb
Located in Miami, FL
An authentic reproduction of a Chinese writing table that was imported into England during the Queen Anne period (1702-1714) with cordovan-leather lacquer finish with delicately-rend...
Category

Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture

Materials

Brass, Gold Leaf

Mario Buatta for John Widdicomb Faux Tortoise Shell Chinoiserie Sideboard Buffet
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding custom chinoiserie sideboard buffet designed in 1980 by Mario Buatta for John Widdicomb. The sideboard features a beautiful faux tortoise shell finish and ornate carve...
Category

1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture

Mario Buatta for John Widdicomb Chinoiserie Dining Chairs, Set of Eight
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding set of custom chinoiserie dining chairs designed in 1980 by Mario Buatta for John Widdicomb. The set includes two captain chairs and six side chairs. The chairs featur...
Category

1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture

Materials

Wood

Chinoiserie furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinoiserie furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinoiserie furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, Asia, and East Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Mason's Ironstone, Schumacher, Century Furniture, and Bow Porcelain. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $21 and tops out at $216,780 while the average work can sell for $1,701.

Recently Viewed

View All