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
Wood
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Rattan, Reed, Wood
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1920s English Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl, Lacquer
1960s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1910s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bone, Hardwood, Boxwood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
19th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
1970s Korean Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk, Paint
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1990s Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood, Lacquer
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Late 20th Century Spanish Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer, Hardwood, Mirror
Early 2000s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Burl
19th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Rosewood
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft, Faience
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Wood, Paint
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1960s Belgian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Plaster
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1990s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Rattan, Wood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Iron
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Pearlware
Mid-20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1990s Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool