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.
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood, Burl
Early 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu, Bronze
18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1920s British Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu, Bronze
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Pine
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Turkestan Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Iron
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Soapstone
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Tin
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 17th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
2010s Thai Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Bamboo
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Pine
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Onyx, Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
1890s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Alabaster, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass
Mid-20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Furniture
Rosewood
1860s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Copper, Enamel
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bone, Wood, Lacquer
1940s English Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl, Walnut
Early 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Early 1900s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Elm
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu