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.
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Linen
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery
2010s German Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
18th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Terracotta
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Late 19th Century American Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
1960s Spanish Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Cane
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton, Foam
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Teak
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Swiss Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Brass, Steel
19th Century Korean Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade, Bronze
1980s Russian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Mid-19th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paper
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Rose Quartz
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wicker
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1970s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk, Wood, Ceramic
1960s English Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Pine, Paint
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Stone
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Terracotta
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Creamware, Pottery
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain