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.
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Oak
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Elm
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery
Late 20th Century Indonesian Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Wicker
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Plaster
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton, Velvet
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Stone
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1970s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1890s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton, Foam, Wool
1930s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Brass
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Elm, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
Early 20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
19th Century Indian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Oak
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Majolica
1940s Tibetan Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Paste, Lacquer, Paper
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paint
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass