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
Pottery
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
1920s Dutch Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Wood
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Late 19th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Enamel
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1960s Cambodian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Southeast Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu, Bronze
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1930s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Rosewood
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany
1970s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Bone, Wood
Early 1900s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Early 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Stone
1950s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century German Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Leaf
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Early 1900s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood
19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Early 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Mahogany
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 1800s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Wood
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Brass