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.
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
20th Century Southeast Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Wood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century North American Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble, Metal
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1990s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Southeast Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Chinoiserie Furniture
Velvet, Wood, Lacquer
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
19th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Enamel
Late 20th Century Spanish Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Hardwood, Lacquer
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Cherry, Pine
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Other
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Paint
1970s Thai Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Giltwood
Late 19th Century Brazilian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1850s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Ironstone
21st Century and Contemporary English Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk, Velvet
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Pearlware
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1970s Philippine Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Rattan
1820s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Gold