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.
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Bone, Wood
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Stoneware
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 1900s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Bronze
Early 1900s Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Teak
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Plywood
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
1950s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Belgian Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Bronze
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Terracotta
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
2010s German Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass
1960s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
1880s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Canvas, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary English Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Stone
1930s English Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Tin
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Lacquer
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Rattan, Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Plywood
Early 1900s Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Padouk
18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Cherry
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Chinoiserie Furniture
Rock Crystal, Metal
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Soapstone, Brass
Late 19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Early 1900s British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Paint
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Walnut
17th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu, Bronze
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Tin
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain