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.
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Early 20th Century British Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany, Lacquer
1920s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century South Korean Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1960s Hong Kong Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
19th Century Unknown Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
18th Century Swedish Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Rosewood, Mother-of-Pearl
Early 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Paint, Paper
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Faience, Maiolica
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Soapstone
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood
1930s English Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Mother-of-Pearl
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Iron
Mid-19th Century Korean Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1950s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany
Late 18th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
Late 20th Century North American Chinoiserie Furniture
Velvet, Paint
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Wood
1930s English Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Beech
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Indonesian Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Bamboo
18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Soapstone
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Canvas
18th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft, Porcelain
1920s British Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver Leaf
Early 1900s British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1990s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Giltwood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic