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 Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century British Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint, Paper
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Southeast Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Terracotta, Paint
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Burl, Cane, Wood
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1990s Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Leather, Glass, Lacquer
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1860s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1830s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Paper
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1990s Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade, Quartz
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1960s British Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1930s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1950s British Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1920s British Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver Leaf
1970s Hong Kong Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 17th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Pewter
1960s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 2000s Spanish Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century European Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
1920s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1970s Indian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Giltwood
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel, Brass, Sheet Metal
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1960s Burmese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Paint, Paper
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Burl, Lacquer