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.
1970s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
1930s British Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Turkish Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Clay, Paint
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
1960s German Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton, Foam
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Terracotta
Early 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Steel, Iron
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Cut Glass
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Rosewood
Late 18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk, Glass, Wood
19th Century East Turkestani Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl, Glass, Hardwood
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Turkish Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Bamboo
Early 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Early 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Teak
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade
19th Century Korean Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Rattan
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Brass
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Creamware, Pottery
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Furniture
Linen
19th Century Indian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Leather, Bamboo
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze