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.
2010s Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1890s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 2000s Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Paint
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Late 20th Century Indonesian Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Wicker
1960s Cambodian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Enamel
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
19th Century Unknown Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Leaf
1950s British Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Softwood
Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paper
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Gesso, Wood
1950s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver Leaf
1990s Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Welsh Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Stainless Steel
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Fruitwood
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain, Wood
1980s Portuguese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Walnut, Burl
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu
2010s British Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
Early 2000s Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Stainless Steel
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
1720s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Delft
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Elm
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Rosewood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Silver
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass