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 Spanish Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Mirror, Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1950s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Art Glass, Mirror, Wood
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk, Paint, Paper
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade
20th Century German Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Enamel
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
2010s German Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
19th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Teak
1860s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
2010s Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Terracotta, Walnut
20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Delft, Faience
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
2010s Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut
Late 19th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Giltwood
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Leather, Bamboo, Rattan
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Resin
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 2000s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
1950s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1880s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Delft, Faience
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary East Turkestani Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Beech
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan, Lacquer
1860s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
1990s Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic