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.
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood, Lacquer
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 1900s Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Pine
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut
2010s Chinoiserie Furniture
Other
Early 1900s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1940s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 17th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
20th Century European Chinoiserie Furniture
Resin
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1970s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut, Burl
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany
2010s Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1930s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Beech
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Mahogany
1760s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
2010s Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Enamel
1950s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1930s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1890s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Pine, Lacquer
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Furniture
Rattan, Wood
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton, Linen
1970s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Yew