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.
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Plaster
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Beech
Mid-20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1930s English Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Mid-20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Lead
Early 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Enamel
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Late 19th Century Korean Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1920s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1990s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Wood, Paint, Paper
Mid-20th Century Spanish Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Majolica, Porcelain, Pottery
Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
2010s Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel, Iron
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
2010s Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain, Cork
Mid-20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1970s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver Plate, Bronze
1940s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Mahogany
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan
Early 20th Century British Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Paint
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Lacquer
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Canvas
1960s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade
1960s Hong Kong Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass