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.
1950s British Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Tibetan Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bone, Wood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint, Mirror
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paint
1940s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century North American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century European Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Pottery
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade, Gold
Early 19th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1940s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Early 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut
Early 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metallic Thread
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Elm, Wicker
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Enamel
2010s Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
1780s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1960s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton, Wool
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Mid-20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
19th Century Korean Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Rattan
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Creamware
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut