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.
Late 19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century British Chinoiserie Furniture
Elm
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1880s Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1860s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Walnut
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Plywood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Mahogany
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton, Polyester
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Pine
1920s German Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
2010s Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut
Early 20th Century European Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
2010s British Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk, Velvet
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Silk
20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 2000s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
1880s British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold, Enamel
1890s Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Late 20th Century Burmese Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft, Faience
1960s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Soapstone
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Iron
1880s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Rosewood
Late 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Brass, Enamel
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold, Ormolu
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Early 2000s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
Early 20th Century European Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
2010s Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
1880s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Pottery
Mid-20th Century Belgian Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Fabric
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Enamel
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Mirror
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Leather, Foam, Wood, Upholstery, Walnut, Lacquer
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone