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.
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1840s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
19th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Creamware, Pottery
20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Enamel
Early 20th Century Indian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Gold Leaf
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
19th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1940s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Textile, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood, Lacquer
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu
1960s European Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
19th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
Late 19th Century Belgian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Leather, Lacquer
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
1940s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass