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 20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver Plate
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Elm, Lacquer, Paint
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paper
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Faience
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
2010s British Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Faux Bamboo
1980s Hungarian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain, Paint
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
19th Century Unknown Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1960s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton, Polyester
Early 20th Century Southeast Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1990s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Chinoiserie Furniture
Velvet
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan
Mid-20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1970s Hong Kong Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 17th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Pewter
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Iron
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1910s English Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Teak
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Leather, Glass, Lacquer
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood