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.
Early 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Wood
1920s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
1940s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Turkish Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1970s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
18th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
19th Century American Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Wicker, Plywood
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk, Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century Tibetan Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Brass
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Mid-20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Walnut
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Enamel
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Alabaster
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood
1980s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
Early 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Mid-20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Leather, Bamboo
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Wood
1990s Chinoiserie Furniture
Fiberglass, Paint
1960s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Silk, Faux Bamboo, Acrylic
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool