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.
1880s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone, Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Tin
19th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal, Tôle
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Pine, Lacquer
2010s German Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1880s Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Canvas
1920s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1930s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal, Metal
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
19th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
1690s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
1980s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1880s Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Giltwood, Lacquer, Paint
Early 2000s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Fabric
1940s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
2010s German Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton, Linen
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Teak
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Iron
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan, Laminate
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Canvas
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble, Soapstone
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1960s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Giltwood, Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1920s Austrian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 1800s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain, Pottery, Wood
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Late 17th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
18th Century Spanish Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk, Velvet
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer