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.
Vintage Chinese Harwood Chinoiserie Dining Room Set Table 8 Chairs - 9 Pc Set
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinese Harwood Chinoiserie Dining Room Set Table 8 Chairs - 9 Pc Set. Listing includes (1) 24" leaf, (2) armchairs, (6) side ch...
Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood
Vintage Henredon Black Lacquer and Burl Dining Set
By Henredon
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Chinoiserie-style burl and black lacquer dining set by Henredon of Morganton, NC, USA circa 1980. Oval table is composed of a burl inset surfa...
Burl, Cane, Wood
1960s Chinoiserie Ming Style Oval Extended Dining Table 5 Chairs, Set of 6
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and rare, dining table and wood chairs set you could hope to find. In its original condition. No restoration. Outstanding design...
Wood, Lacquer
James Mont Style Chinoiserie Marble Top Low Dining Table and Chairs
By James Mont
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Unusual chinoiserie marble topped dining table and four velvet upholstered chairs. The table has a marble inlay and two leaves. The chairs have been upholstered in a lovely sea foam ...
Marble
1980s Thomasville Chinoiserie Painted Green Hexagonal Wood Dining, Set of 9
By Thomasville
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Transport yourself back to the sleek and sophisticated 1980s dining set. The ultra rare set exudes an air of luxury and refinement. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The lu...
Glass, Wood, Paint
Chinoiserie Carved Dining Table with 6 Chairs, Walnut, 1920
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Oriental Style Carved Dining Table and 6 Chairs This table has an exquisitely carved 5” broad border with a snake skin edging around the table top, this carved theme continues on th...
Walnut
Vintage Chinese Ceramic Table Set
Located in Sint-Niklaas, VOV
Absolute marvelous Chinese Ceramic Table Set in very good condition. Set contains 1 table and 4 stools, all in bleu and red dragon figures. 1 stool has a little chip, as you can se...
Ceramic
$6,500 / set
Chinese Red Lacquer Lattice Dining Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese Red Lacquer Lattice Dining Chairs, Italian, circa 1960s. They retain their original Chinese Red color lacquer finish and caned seats. We ...
Wood
$33,369Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 37.8 in W 17.33 in D 19.3 in
Extendable Dining Table and Set of 8 Walnut & Leather Chairs by André Sornay
By Andre Sornay
Located in Paris, FR
An exceptional André Sornay dining ensemble from the 1930s: an extendable walnut table paired with eight matching chairs, meticulously restored and reupholstered in soft camel leathe...
Leather, Wood, Walnut
$2,783Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 36.62 in W 56.3 in D 25.6 in
vintage bar table with chairs dining table bar stools 1950s
Located in Lemmer, NL
vintage bar table with chairs dining table bar stools 1950s Vintage bar table with 4 chairs. Oak table with inlaid tiles. Complete set in be...
Ceramic, Rattan, Oak
$6,450 / set
H 32.88 in W 78.75 in D 63.19 in
Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Set with Table, Bench, Set of Chairs
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining room set consisting of a dining table, bench, and pair of chairs, solid beech, Scandinavia, 1980s This expansive dining room set is a rare find, distinguished by its exceptio...
Beech
$3,995 / set
H 40 in W 24 in D 23.5 in
Chinoiserie Chin Hua Ebonized Dining Set by Raymond K. Sobota, 8 Piece Set
By Raymond K. Sobota, Century Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Chin Hua Ebonized Dining Set By Raymond K. Sobota for Century Furniture - 8 Piece Set This gorgeous Asian Style dining set...
Fabric, Maple, Burl
$5,995
H 29.25 in W 100 in D 40.25 in
Henredon Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Mahogany and Brass Extension Dining Table
By Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional mid-century modern Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie extension dining table By Henredon USA, Circa 1970s Gorgeous mahogany, with etched brass accents. Measures: 68"W x...
Brass
$23,835Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 29.53 in W 99.22 in D 39.38 in
Art Deco Extending Dining Room Set, Macassar, Black Lacquer, France circa 1930
Located in Regensburg, DE
Stunning Art Deco dining room set with expandable table and eight chairs in Makassar Veneer and Black Lacquer. Extendable dining table with top and apron veneered in bright Macassar...
Fabric, Lacquer, Macassar, Hardwood
$3,575
H 27.96 in W 74.81 in D 48.43 in
Oval Extendable Rosewood Dining Table by John Mortensen, Denmark, 1960s
By John Mortensen, Heltborg Møbler
Located in Nørre Aaby, DK
Elegant oval dining table designed by John Mortensen and produced by Heltborg Møbelfabrik in Denmark during the 1960s. Crafted in beautifully grained rosewood, the table comes with t...
Rosewood
$46,891 / set
H 31.5 in W 141.74 in D 51.19 in
Asnaghi “Eubea” Dining Table and 12 Chair Suite in Harwood, Gilt and Silk
Located in Barrowford, GB
Asnaghi make pieces of furniture that are far more than just that. They create real works-of-art of intrinsic value, Peerless in design and execution, and expected to become heirloom...
Wood
$5,995
H 29.5 in W 68.5 in D 45 in
Thomasville Regency Walnut and Burl Wood Pedestal Dining Table, Refinished
By Thomasville
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding Regency, Italian Provincial, or Neoclassical style double pedestal extension dining table By Thomasville USA, Circa 1960s Gorgeous walnut top with burl wood banding...
Walnut, Burl
$2,495
H 29.25 in W 121 in D 41 in
Henredon MCM Walnut and Mirrored Top Expanding Dining Table with 2 Leaves
By Henredon
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Henredon Mid Century Walnut and Mirrored Top Expanding Dining Table with 2 Leaves This table measures: 81 wide x 41 deep x 29.25 inches high, with a chair clearance of 25.75 inches,...
Mirror, Walnut
Vintage Thomasville French Provincial Dining Table
By Thomasville
Located in Medina, OH
Beautiful Thomasville French Provincial Dining Table. The top of this table is gorgeous and an eye catcher! It is in great condition, only light wea...
Wood
$2,375
H 29 in W 62 in D 40 in
1980s White Furniture Mahogany & Burl Mandarin Chinoiserie Ming Dining Table
Located in Dayton, OH
1980s White Furniture Company Mandarin dining table, 330-12. Rectangular form with mahogany and burlwood top. Includes 2 leafs for extensions and table pads. Dimensions: 40" x 62"...
Brass
Sold
H 38.5 in W 17.5 in D 19.5 in
Set of 8 George Zee & Co. Anglo-Chinese Teak Extendable Dining Chairs
Located in Elkton, MD
This set includes eight matching chairs: two armchairs and six side chairs, each with traditional Chinese horseshoe backs and carved longevity medallions on the back slats. The chair...
Upholstery, Teak
Sold
H 29 in W 36 in D 36 in
John Widdicomb Chinoiserie Engraved Game Card Table Dining Table & Chairs Set
Located in West Hartford, CT
Exquisite 5 piece John Widdicomb dining set or game table set - it's good to have choices. Note the rare intricate engraved and painted floral design throughout. Comes with matchin...
Fabric, Textile, Wood
Sold
H 29.5 in W 44 in D 100 in
Vintage Thomasville Embassy Chinoiserie Asian Modern Expanding Dining Table
By Thomasville, Raymond K. Sobota, Century Furniture
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Vintage Thomasville Embassy expanding dining table. The table is 68″ long without leaves, allowing it to host six guests even at it’s most compact ...
Wood, Lacquer
Faux Bamboo Dining Set by Thomasville
By Thomasville
Located in Redding, CT
Faux Bamboo Dining Set by Thomasville. Nice solid wooden set that is very sturdy and timeless. Six solid wooden chairs with clean light blue uph...
Wood
Sold
H 30.5 in W 60 in D 60 in
Chinese Carved Rosewood Dining Set, Round Pedestal Table & Eight Matching Chairs
Located in West Hartford, CT
Magnificent Chinese rosewood carved dining room set which features a hand carved grapes and vines all around the apron and pedestal of the table. It also has a "Lazy Susan" that passes food effortlessly to all diners around this extraordinary table. Both table top and Lazy Susan are covered by removable protective glass. The eight matching chairs...
Textile, Silk, Glass, Rosewood
Sold
H 30.5 in W 60 in D 60 in
Chinese Carved Rosewood Dining Set, Round Pedestal Table & Eight Matching Chairs
Located in West Hartford, CT
Magnificent Chinese rosewood carved dining room set which features a hand carved grapes and vines all around the apron and pedestal of the table. It also has a "Lazy Susan" that passes food effortlessly to all diners around this extraordinary table. Both table top and Lazy Susan are covered by removable protective glass. The eight matching chairs...
Textile, Silk, Glass, Rosewood
Fine Faux Bamboo Lacquered Aluminum Glass Top Dining Table and Chairs
Located in Miami, FL
REDUCED FROM $3,500....Great for the outdoors, garden patio or inside dining, this Mid-Century Modern glass top table and chairs are unique ...
Aluminum
Sold
H 30 in W 43.5 in D 31 in
Bamboo Rattan Wicker Cane Table and Chair Set or Dining Set with Glass Top 1970s
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Tigerwood bamboo table chairs cane details conversation set or dining table. The dining set is composed of tiger wood or tortoise wood, bamboo, wic...
Bamboo, Cane, Wood, Zebra Wood
Sold
H 30 in W 71 in D 46 in
Mastercraft Chinoiserie Regency Dining Table, Etched Brass, Bernard Rhône, 1970s
By Mastercraft, Bernhard Rohne
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stunningly gorgeous, ornate acid-etchwork to brass inflated on ebony frame with 1’’ beveled crystal glass top, comes with single 33" leaf, extendable. Designed by Bernard Rhône...
Brass
Sold
H 30 in W 43.5 in D 31 in
Bamboo Rattan Wicker Cane Table and Chair Set or Dining Set with Glass Top 1970s
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Tigerwood bamboo table chairs cane details conversation set or dining table. The dining set is composed of tiger wood or tortoise wood, bamboo, wic...
Bamboo, Cane, Wood, Zebra Wood
Set of Six Black Japanned Chinoiserie Dining Chairs
Located in West Hartford, CT
Elegant black laquered chinoiserie chairs with gilt painted scenery and detail. Set of six matching dining chairs include four side chairs and two armchairs. Handmade by renowned cab...
Wood
Sold
H 30.32 in W 61.03 in D 61.03 in
Traditional Oriental Rosewood Dining Table and Set of Six Chairs, Carved Suite
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a traditional, oriental rosewood dining table and set of six chairs, a carved suite of fine quality crafted in the late 20th century, circa 1980. ...
Rosewood