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 1900s British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
Mid-18th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft, Faience
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Paint
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1920s English Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton, Polyester
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood, Paper
20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1830s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Early 1900s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Velvet, Giltwood, Lacquer
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
2010s Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary English Chinoiserie Furniture
Paint, Wood, Gesso
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
19th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1960s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Rattan
1970s Philippine Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Rattan
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Delft
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1970s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Paper
20th Century European Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
1940s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Mahogany
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Faience
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver
1850s Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1860s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Tin
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Stone
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Rosewood