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-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1870s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Faience, Maiolica
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Canvas, Silk, Wood, Giltwood
1830s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Indonesian Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1910s English Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1930s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-19th Century Korean Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1880s Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Mother-of-Pearl
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1930s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1970s Dutch Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1980s Dutch Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Delft, Earthenware
1990s Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk, Giltwood
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Late 18th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
1850s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Leather, Wood
Early 1900s Asian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Early 1800s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Stoneware
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary French Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Elm, Lacquer, Paint
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone