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.
2010s Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Leaf
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Enamel
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1940s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton, Foam
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Tin
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-18th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Rattan
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Mid-20th Century Southeast Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Furniture
Linen
1920s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
20th Century European Chinoiserie Furniture
Resin
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Agate, Soapstone
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 20th Century European Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1950s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Stone
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century European Chinoiserie Furniture
Pine
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass
Late 20th Century British Chinoiserie Furniture
Resin
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1990s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Wood, Paint
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper