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.
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut, Burl
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Pottery
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century British Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1880s British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
17th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Leather, Bamboo
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Rosewood
1950s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1970s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Satin, Cotton
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood
20th Century British Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Linen
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric
20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Gesso, Mirror, Giltwood
1720s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary English Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk, Velvet
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Hardwood
Late 17th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Faience
Early 1900s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Giltwood, Paint
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Elm
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain, Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1820s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Gold
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Elm
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
Late 20th Century East Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood