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 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal, Rock Crystal
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1990s Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1960s Hong Kong Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Terracotta, Walnut
Early 1900s Asian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Elm
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Velvet, Faux Bamboo, Oak
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1970s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Carnelian, Jade, Quartz
Early 1800s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Early 20th Century European Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Rosewood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
1970s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Cane, Glass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan, Laminate
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Terracotta
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Tibetan Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Copper
Early 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1980s Belgian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Cotton
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton, Foam
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton, Foam, Wool
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Composition, Metal
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool