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 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Rosewood
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Korean Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Mid-20th Century Korean Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Celadon, Pottery
1950s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Mid-19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Other
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Danish Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Burl, Lacquer
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1770s Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Early 20th Century Tibetan Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1960s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Metal, Bronze
1970s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
18th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal, Rock Crystal
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
20th Century Southeast Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Faux Bamboo
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Burl
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1970s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1960s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Metal
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Paint
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
2010s Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
1970s European Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Giltwood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Agate, Soapstone
Early 2000s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Iron
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Poplar
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone





