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.
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood, Paint
Mid-18th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Aluminum
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Earthenware
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
1930s English Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery
21st Century and Contemporary English Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
1940s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Paint
1890s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan
20th Century German Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1950s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary English Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Rosewood
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Stone
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Hardwood
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal, Rock Crystal
Late 18th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
1920s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1820s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
1950s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Aluminum
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Pine
Late 17th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
2010s Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Walnut
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1950s Thai Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Terracotta
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu
1970s Hong Kong Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Plywood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Canvas
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1950s European Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal, Metal
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Gold Leaf
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Plaster
1890s Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Elm
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1720s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain