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.
1860s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1920s English Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 2000s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1980s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Textile, Satin, Silk, Velvet
1970s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Wood, Porcelain
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary English Chinoiserie Furniture
Gesso, Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Burl, Cane, Wood
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Paint, Paper
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Iron
1840s German Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade, Quartz
1960s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1830s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Paper
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Poplar
Early 19th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery
20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
20th Century Austrian Chinoiserie Furniture
Art Glass
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Enamel
20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Wrought Iron
1930s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1930s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Leaf
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Korean Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1970s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery
Late 19th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Stone
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Resin