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 Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl, Padouk
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1830s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
1770s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Oak, Glass
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Tin
Mid-20th Century East Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Enamel, Copper
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1720s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
1720s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Giltwood
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery, Terracotta
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
2010s French Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1690s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Wood
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1720s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1970s German Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 19th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paper
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Paint
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1720s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1720s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Early 1900s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1750s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Soapstone
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1810s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1790s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
1980s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1720s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1970s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood
1720s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1690s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic