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.
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
1930s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Enamel
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Velvet
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Leather, Wood
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold, Ormolu
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Enamel
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Shagreen
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Rattan, Paint
Mid-18th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Ormolu
Early 2000s Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Stainless Steel
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Wood
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
18th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Blown Glass
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience, Pottery, Earthenware, Delft
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
2010s Dutch Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Stone
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Carrara Marble
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery
1970s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone