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-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Plywood
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Belgian Black Marble
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1850s Austrian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel, Silver
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade, Silver
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Textile
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Tôle
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu, Bronze
1910s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut
Late 19th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany, Wood
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Iron
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Brass
Mid-18th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
2010s German Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
2010s German Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Silk
1870s Austrian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Steel
18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
1920s European Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
2010s Spanish Chinoiserie Furniture
Shell, Glass, Wood, Ebony
Early 1800s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Canvas
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century North American Chinoiserie Furniture
Burl
20th Century Mongolian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade, Gold
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade