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
Ceramic, Delft
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany, Lacquer
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Oak, Pine
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Cane, Oak
Late 20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 1900s British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Wood, Porcelain
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Beech
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Soapstone
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Canvas, Giltwood, Paint
20th Century Southeast Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1940s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Mahogany
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Faux Bamboo
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany
1850s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Stone
1920s English Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Gold Leaf
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
19th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1960s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Leaf
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Leather, Paint
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Plaster
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany, Lacquer, Paint
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel, Brass, Sheet Metal
Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1970s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton, Wool
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
2010s Indonesian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Acrylic
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint