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.
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1720s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
20th Century European Chinoiserie Furniture
Resin
Late 18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Velvet, Wood
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 17th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
1950s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Other
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Enamel
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century British Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade
1930s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paper
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan, Laminate
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1970s Dutch Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1920s Dutch Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Stoneware, Paint
Late 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
19th Century Welsh Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Enamel
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Rosewood
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Teak
20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Rosewood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel, Ormolu
1720s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Mahogany
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
18th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk, Paper
20th Century North American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass