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.
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Pearlware
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
18th Century Swedish Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1970s Dutch Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Austrian Chinoiserie Furniture
Art Glass
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Bronze
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Burl, Cane, Wood
1940s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery
1960s Dutch Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1980s Hungarian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1960s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1980s Philippine Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Faience
1940s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft, Faience
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold
1950s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
1990s French Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Paint
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1960s British Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1960s Dutch Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Hardwood
1970s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Paper
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany, Lacquer
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1940s Tibetan Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
1980s English Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Linen, Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Leather, Glass, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 1900s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Velvet, Giltwood, Lacquer
Late 18th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1980s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Textile, Satin, Silk, Velvet
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Cast Stone, Metal
Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paper
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Textile, Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1990s Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror
1970s European Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror