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.
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Teak
1930s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
Early 1800s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Stoneware
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
19th Century Unknown Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
1940s English Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold
20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Lacquer
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Breccia Marble
21st Century and Contemporary French Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 1900s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Faience
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Copper, Enamel
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1880s Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Mirror, Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
20th Century Southeast Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Wood
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
Late 19th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
1920s British Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver Leaf
1890s Russian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Resin, Wood
Early 1800s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Mirror, Wood
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Early 1900s British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1910s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1960s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wicker, Rattan, Bentwood