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 European Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Paint
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
1890s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1950s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
2010s German Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Late 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Late 19th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1960s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Soapstone
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Terracotta
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Oak, Lacquer
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal, Rock Crystal
1880s British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel, Gold
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
18th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Gesso, Wood, Lacquer
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft, Faience
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Plastic, Plaster, Paint
20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
Late 19th Century Czech Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1970s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver Leaf
20th Century Southeast Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1970s British Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo
Early 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut, Paint
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1970s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Rattan, Glass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Rattan