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.
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Mahogany
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer, Paint
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Plate, Stainless Steel
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Granite
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood, Paint
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1950s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Oak, Pine
20th Century Korean Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Steel
20th Century European Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
1930s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Fruitwood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1970s Philippine Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Rattan
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1950s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Stone
Mid-19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Other
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 1900s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Velvet, Giltwood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Early 1900s European Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Other
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Teak
1860s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Tin
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft, Faience
Early 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass