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.
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Korean Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Enamel
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal, Rock Crystal
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper, Faux Bamboo, Paint
1990s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Leaf
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
1960s Hong Kong Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century European Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Rosewood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
1990s French Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Paint
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany
1990s Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Stone, Brass
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
1920s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Chrome
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft, Faience
Early 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1930s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Brass
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton, Wool
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Elm
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Burl, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Sheet Metal, Enamel, Copper
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
2010s German Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
2010s German Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk, Paper
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer, Paint
2010s German Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain