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.
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Hardwood
1980s English Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Linen, Upholstery, Wood
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood, Paper
1960s Dutch Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Faience
1940s Southeast Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1970s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Paper
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Leather, Glass, Lacquer
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
1860s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wicker, Rattan, Bentwood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1880s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Textile, Wood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 2000s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
1960s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paper
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Majolica
Early 2000s Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary English Chinoiserie Furniture
Paint, Wood, Gesso
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany, Lacquer, Paint
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Shagreen
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1970s Philippine Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Rattan
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Iron
Early 1900s British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1940s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1970s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
2010s Spanish Chinoiserie Furniture
Shell, Glass, Wood, Ebony
Early 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Giltwood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo
1820s Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1970s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood