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-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1820s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Teak
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Velvet
1720s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 1800s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
1720s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Bamboo
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
1970s Spanish Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Teak
20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Pottery
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary English Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk, Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Early 20th Century East Turkestani Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Elm
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut
1890s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Creamware
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century European Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1960s Hong Kong Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
Late 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1920s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade, Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze