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.
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Leather, Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1920s British Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1970s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Smoked Glass, Wood
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton, Foam
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade, Quartz
1970s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Austrian Chinoiserie Furniture
Art Glass
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton, Foam
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Iron
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1950s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Stone, Jade
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble, Brass
1970s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Late 19th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
1950s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Rattan, Paint
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Clay
1690s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl, Paper
1880s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Pottery
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Stone
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood, Lacquer
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
17th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Canvas, Paint
Late 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Wood, Paper
1720s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass