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
Lacquer
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl, Padouk
20th Century Korean Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Steel
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton
2010s Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer, Wood
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Faience
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Gold Leaf
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Delft
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Tôle
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Early 1900s European Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Early 2000s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Giltwood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Laminate, Cork, Paper
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Paint, Paper
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1970s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1920s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Southeast Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Rosewood
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
19th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1990s Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1960s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
1910s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer