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.
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1920s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
1990s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Early 2000s Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Stainless Steel
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Furniture
Linen
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Tôle
1890s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
1940s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade
Early 1900s British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1720s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Brass
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal
Late 19th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Leaf
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Granite, Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
2010s Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery
1990s French Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Paint
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Plaster
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Rosewood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 17th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
1950s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Southeast Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Enamel
1970s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1890s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wire
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool