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.
20th Century British Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Other
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble, Wrought Iron
1880s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1880s European Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer, Wood
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
1930s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Taiwanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
20th Century Indonesian Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Elm
1770s Italian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Maiolica
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Clay
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1880s Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Paint
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Rattan, Reed, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wire
20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Pottery
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Seagrass, Wood, Lacquer
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1950s Swedish Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1920s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Rosewood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood
20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Enamel, Bronze, Metal
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Terracotta
21st Century and Contemporary Chinoiserie Furniture
Rock Crystal, Metal
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery, Ceramic, Earthenware
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1920s British Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan
20th Century British Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1760s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Early 1900s Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Rosewood
Early 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Oak, Lacquer
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Tin
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Cane, Walnut
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble, Soapstone
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Enamel
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Beech
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
20th Century British Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal