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 Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Canvas, Paper
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
Late 19th Century Czech Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Poplar
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Terracotta, Walnut
2010s German Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Early 20th Century European Chinoiserie Furniture
Pine
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl, Lacquer
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Leaf
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
Early 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Paint
19th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
19th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver Plate
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Plaster
1910s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bone, Hardwood, Boxwood
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft, Faience
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
1970s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk, Ebony, Wood
18th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Rattan
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Early 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience, Pottery
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood
1970s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Rattan
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Rosewood
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Tin