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 Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Giltwood, Lacquer
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut
Early 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Enamel
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade, Gold
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
1960s Southeast Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Textile, Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Copper
Early 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Terracotta
1970s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century German Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1960s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paper
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Tibetan Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Teak
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
1980s Hong Kong Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Satinwood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Leather
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Clay, Paint
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Hardwood
Late 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
1920s British Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Cane, Wood
1940s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Mid-20th Century East Turkestani Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool