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.
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer, Wood
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
1940s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1980s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Onyx, Ormolu, Bronze
Mid-20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade, Multi-gemstone, Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan, Glass
Late 19th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Oak, Glass
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Walnut
1960s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Early 1900s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paper
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Velvet, Faux Bamboo, Oak