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 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Granite
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
1970s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Stone
20th Century Southeast Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Late 19th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Elm
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1990s French Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Paint
1950s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Linen, Thread
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold, Ormolu
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
1950s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton, Polyester
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Hardwood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paint, Paper
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1960s Cambodian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
20th Century German Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century British Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Tin
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Rattan
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Carrara Marble
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
Late 17th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
1840s German Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
1760s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
17th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Tôle
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal
Late 19th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain