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.
1940s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Wicker, Mirror
1990s Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Grasscloth, Faux Bamboo, Wood
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan
1890s Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
20th Century British Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Cane
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Wood, Burl
1940s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Fabric, Bamboo, Hardwood
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan, Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton, Linen, Faux Bamboo, Lacquer
1830s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Paper
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Steel, Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Glass, Wood, Paper
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Wood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Late 19th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Wood, Paper
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Wood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Mahogany
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan, Reed, Mirror, Teak
Early 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Wood
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Lacquer
2010s Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
1880s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
1970s Philippine Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Faux Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Wicker
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Wood
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper, Faux Bamboo, Paint
Late 20th Century North American Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Leather, Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Wicker
20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
1950s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Wicker
1880s Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
1970s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Faux Bamboo
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Late 19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Wood