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.
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Elm
1830s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Elm
20th Century British Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery, Ceramic, Earthenware
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Clay
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century British Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Giltwood, Lacquer
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut
Mid-20th Century North American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Enamel
Early 20th Century European Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
2010s Hungarian Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1870s German Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Leather, Oak
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1920s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Delft
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
19th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1950s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bone, Wood, Lacquer
1690s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Burl
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Silver Leaf
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Teak
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass