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.
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
19th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu
Late 17th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
1930s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal, Metal
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Burl
1950s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Pine
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Brass
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone, Wood
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Enamel, Gold Leaf
1980s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
1870s German Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
Early 1900s Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Elm
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Softwood
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Linen
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Enamel, Zinc
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1920s British Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Elm
18th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
1940s South American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Iron
1890s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Teak, Wood
Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century British Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Mahogany