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 Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Tin
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Creamware, Pottery
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
19th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
1880s Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Padouk
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Bronze, Enamel
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Terracotta
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Softwood
1720s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Paint
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Enamel
1820s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Natural Fiber
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Gesso, Upholstery, Oak
Mid-18th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Enamel
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Hardwood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Nickel
1890s Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Late 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Terracotta
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
1960s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
1950s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Rattan, Wood
1920s British Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Paint, Wood
Early 1900s British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paint
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Stone, Jade
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton, Foam
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain