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 Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Wicker, Mirror
1820s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1940s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold
Early 20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Gesso, Wood, Lacquer
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl, Padouk
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Spanish Chinoiserie Furniture
Wicker, Cane, Rattan, Mirror
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Faience, Delft
Early 1800s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Mirror, Wood
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Rosewood
1950s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1940s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
2010s Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Wicker, Wood
1920s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
1960s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Rattan
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Early 1900s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Mirror, Wood
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Cane, Rattan, Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver
Mid-20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Teak, Paper
Early 20th Century European Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble, Brass
20th Century Spanish Chinoiserie Furniture
Iron, Gold Leaf, Wrought Iron
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Gold Leaf
1930s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1960s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Rose Quartz
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Majolica
1970s Philippine Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Rattan
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Art Glass
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Grasscloth, Wood
Late 19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wicker, Wood
2010s Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Belgian Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Bronze
Mid-18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Beech
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1860s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
1970s Korean Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Paint
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Bamboo