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.
19th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paper
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan, Mirror
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 18th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience, Pottery, Earthenware, Delft
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1890s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wire
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Gesso, Wood, Lacquer
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Earthenware
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paint
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1990s Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Late 18th Century Scandinavian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade
1970s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
1950s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
1930s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Stone
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Cane
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Mid-20th Century Korean Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1970s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Bamboo
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Faience
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 1900s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Mirror, Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone