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.
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century European Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1820s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Gold
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Early 1900s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
Mid-20th Century European Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1840s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
1920s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery
1970s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century British Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany
1940s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Mirror
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1950s Dutch Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Earthenware, Faience
Late 20th Century North American Chinoiserie Furniture
Burl
1950s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Tôle
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
1880s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 1900s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver Plate
1890s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Clay
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1930s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Breccia Marble
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Early 1900s European Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ebony
Mid-18th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience