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.
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Stone
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1950s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
Late 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Laminate, Cork, Paper
Early 1800s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Mirror, Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Paint
Mid-20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Stone
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Textile, Wood
1850s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Mid-20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal, Brass
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton, Linen
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
1890s Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Copper
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience, Pottery, Earthenware, Delft
1760s Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Leather
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
1890s Thai Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 1900s European Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Resin, Lacquer
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Delft
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
1960s German Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
18th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wicker, Cane, Rattan
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
2010s Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Late 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1940s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint