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.
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1970s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1950s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Beech
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton, Foam
1960s British Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
20th Century Southeast Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1820s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Faience, Delft
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 1900s Asian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Soapstone, Brass
20th Century Southeast Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
1960s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Soapstone
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Canvas, Silk, Wood, Giltwood
20th Century British Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1990s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade, Onyx
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Ormolu
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
1980s English Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Linen, Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Southeast Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1970s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver Plate, Bronze
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Early 1900s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Faience
1970s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Paper
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century North American Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Gesso, Mirror, Pine, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary French Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood