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 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Beech
1960s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Velvet, Faux Bamboo, Oak
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Rosewood
1890s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood
1950s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1960s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Rosewood
1960s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1960s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton, Linen
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Plaster
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Soapstone
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
1690s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Rattan, Wicker, Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Belgian Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Fabric
18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Belgian Black Marble
1880s European Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1950s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
2010s German Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Bone, Wood
1960s English Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 1900s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1980s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1840s German Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Upholstery
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Soapstone
1960s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1960s Spanish Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
1690s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
1930s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk, Paint, Paper