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 French Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft, Faience
1930s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
1950s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Wicker
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paper
1880s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Belgian Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Fabric
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1970s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century German Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Cork, Lacquer
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Linen, Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1950s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Textile
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
19th Century Unknown Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Silk
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Creamware
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Iron
Mid-17th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Giltwood
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Mid-20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk





