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 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Paint
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal, Iron, Tôle
1970s Dutch Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1970s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
Late 19th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Early 1900s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Mirror, Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wicker, Rattan
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Cast Stone, Metal
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Silver
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Stoneware
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Beech, Mirror
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Giltwood, Wood, Mirror
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal, Rock Crystal
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Oak, Lacquer
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
1880s British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel, Gold
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
1990s Chinoiserie Furniture
Fiberglass, Paint
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Stone
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wicker
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
1890s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Enamel
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Brass
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Furniture
Linen
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Silk
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint