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 Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Brass
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan
1830s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Pine, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Brass
1960s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Glass, Wood
1960s Hong Kong Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Giltwood
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Enamel
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Leather, Bamboo, Wood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Mid-20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Nickel
1920s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Aluminum, Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Rattan
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1870s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton, Linen
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Copper, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Paint, Paper
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1860s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Tin
19th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Leather, Paint
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
1770s Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Mid-20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
2010s Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Canvas
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Leaf
1920s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
1960s Hong Kong Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century Korean Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Leather, Wood
1880s Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze