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.
Century Ebonized Pair of Pagoda End Tables with A Burl Top Chin Hua Collection
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A striking pair of side tables from Century Furniture’s iconic Chin Hua Collection, designed by Raymond K. Sobota. These square tables feature an elegant pagoda-inspired silhouette w...
Burl
19th C Style Charles Pollock Black & Gold Chinoiserie Side Table
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
19th C style Charles Pollock black & gold chinoiserie side table. It features a rustic black painted finish with gilt details and a cane bottom shelf Additional information: ...
Gold
1982 Drexel Heritage ET Cetera Chinoiserie End Table Black & Burl with Ormolu
By Drexel
Located in Topeka, KS
Outstanding vintage Drexel Heritage ET Cetera collection chinoiserie black painted end table or side table featuring black lacquered ...
Metal
Antique Chinese Rosewood Side Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Chinese rosewood round side table, circ 1920's. With a carved and reticulated gallery, resting on a folding stand with bamboo style carving. Nice deep old color to the rosewood.
Rosewood
Drexel Heritage Chinoiserie Hand-Painted Cream Lacquered Chest on Stand
By Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie chest on stand or occasional side table By Drexel Heritage USA, late 20th century Cream la...
Mahogany, Lacquer, Paint
Vintage Chinoiserie Chinese Carved Hardwood Marble Top Pedestal Plant Stand
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinoiserie Chinese Carved Hardwood Marble Top Pedestal Plant Stand with Floral Carved Details. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 32.5" H x 13" W x 13" D.
Marble
Chin Hua Pair Round End Tables Ebony & Burl by Raymond K. Sabota for Century
By Century Furniture, Raymond Sabota
Located in Topeka, KS
Charming vintage Chinoiserie ebonized brown ash & burl inset Chin Hua Collection pair of round end tables with chow feet by Raymond K. Sabota for Century Furniture. Beautiful conditi...
Wood, Burl
Chinese End Table Nightstand Cabinet Vinyl Wrapped
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Wood, Lacquer
Vintage Ralph Lauren Chinoiserie Black Lacquered Pagoda Style End Table
By Ralph Lauren
Located in North Miami, FL
This wonderful high-gloss black lacquered end table by RALPH LAUREN in the Chinoiserie style boasts a single sliding hidden drawer to front and is finished completely on all sides. ...
Wood, Lacquer
Modern Baroque Chinoiserie Style Hand Painted Table
Located in Forney, TX
A rare hand painted ebonized parcel bronze gilt Baroque Chinoiserie Revival side table. Exceptionally executed, the contemporary antique reproducti...
Wood, Paint
ANTIQUE VICTORIAN CIRCA 1880 CHINESE CHINOISERIE LACQUERED SiDE END LAMP TABLE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely circa 1880-1900 hand made Chinese Chinoiserie side end lamp table single drawer Please note th...
Wood
Drexel Heritage Et Cetera Chinoiserie Black & Burl & Ormolu End Tables, a Pair
Located in Germantown, MD
For your consideration is this Extraordinary pair of end tables!!! This is a gem by Drexel, from their ET Cetera line. It is comprised of two rectangular wood frames Tables with high...
Gold, Ormolu
Late 19thC Carved Chinese Rosewood Side End Table or Taboret Plant Stand
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Late 19thC Chinese rosewood side end table with a red marble top. Hand Carved and hand crafted with florets and pierced Fretwork. In excellent antique condition with minimal wear. Cr...
Marble
Antique Chinoiserie Table w/ Painted Landscape Scenes over Black Lacquered Wood
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
Black-lacquered chinoiserie work table with polychrome painted scenes on trestle base with hinged lift-top exposing lidded compartments and open cubbies, with original key plate in t...
Wood
Bamboo End Tables or Night Stands Mid Century Chinoiserie Style
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Bamboo and Wood End Tables, American, circa 1960s. They are a versatile size and can be used as end or side tables, nightstands, or pushed together to form a coffee table.
Bamboo, Wood
Chinoiserie Wood Accent Drinks Table or Plant Stand in the Style of James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
A well-made and substantial rich dark stained wood low accent/drinks table or plant stand, in the style of designer James Mont, in the Chinoiserie design style, circa Mid-20th Centur...
Wood
Asian Style End Table made in Italy by William Switzer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking round side table handcrafted in Italy by William Switzer, known for his refined and decorative furniture designs. This piece showcases a deep black lacquered finish with e...
Wood
Lovely Red & Gold Chinoiserie Antique End Table
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Lovely red & gold hand painted antique French chinoiserie stand, end table or writing table having elegant cabriole legs terminating in bronze mounts. There are 3 drawers and a pull...
Wood
A Pair of Dunbar Occasional Tables Asian Style with Cork Tops
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An unusual and rare pair of side tables by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1940s. Mahogany with original cork tops, Asian Style with green Dunbar labels.
Mahogany
Charming & Rare Antique Black & Gilt Chinoiserie Lacquer Tray on Stand End Table
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Wonderfully shaped diminutive chinoiserie black and gold tray on tripod stand having gilt decoration with pagodas and foliage. Makes a memorable ...
Wood
$1,450 / set
Low Slung Asian End Tables or Night Stands
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Low Slung Asian Tables, probably Chinese, circa 1950s. They are a versatile size and can be used as end or side tables, or as nightstands, or pushed together to form a coffee...
Wood
Stunning Bronze "Shang Ti" End Table by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Chicago, IL
An exquisite "Shang Ti" side table in patinated and engraved bronze and pewter with vibrant enamel cloisonne in varying shades of blues and greens. The table top sits on a sculpture...
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
Southampton Furniture, Chinoiserie Decorated End Table
Located in Stamford, CT
A chinoiserie decorated end table with one oak secondary drawer by South Hampton furniture company.
Wood
Hollywood Regency Red & Brass Asian Chinoiserie Small Cabinet or End Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A handsome and well made vintage cabinet from the 1960's. It features an Asian Modern motif with plenty of storage.
Brass
Modernist Chinoiserie Style End Table
By Drexel
Located in Denton, TX
Modernist Chinoiserie design by Drexel Heritage with an embossed composite Asian scene on top of a parquet pattern parsons table base.
Gold Leaf
French Aubergine and Gilt Japanned Occasional Table
Located in New York, NY
With four drawers above a medial shelf, curved legs, decorated on all sides with exotic birds, old French printed paper label ‘[Maison de L'Escalier de Cristal]/Pannier-Lahoche &...
Wood
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
Bronze Bamboo and Glass Side Table
Located in Stamford, CT
Midcentury French cast bronze bamboo style side table in the style of Maison Bagues. Heavy cast bronze base with new clear glass round top with beveled e...
Bronze
Stunning Pair Solid Rosewood Chinoiserie Nightstand End Table Mid-Century
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Wonderful pair square solid rosewood end tables/nightstands with traditional Ming design, linear grooves, molding and panel details. Two doors to front face of cabinet with inset wel...
Rosewood
Brass and Glass Faux Bamboo End Table Chinoiserie
Located in Atlanta, GA
Glamorous Brass and Glass Faux Bamboo End Table, Italy, circa 1960s. This table is a versatile size and can be used as an end or side table, or as a nightstand.
Brass
$762Sale Price|50% Off
1960s Mahogany Faux Bamboo Cane Set Of 3 Nesting End Tables
Located in Stafford, TX
These are vintage mahogany nesting tables designed with elegant faux bamboo legs and a classic rectangular profile. The set includes a larger main table with two smaller tables that ...
Cane, Mahogany
$3,400Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair Amboyna Burl Brass Mastercraft Asian End/Night Stands Mid-Century Modern
By Mastercraft
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Fabulous pair of Amboyna and brass Asian influenced end table/night stands by Mastercraft. These pieces are finished on all sides and are exquisite in person-real show stoppers ! Can...
Brass
$1,196Sale Price / set|20% Off
Vintage Bamboo Boho Chic Chinoiserie Side End Tables
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering one of our recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions of a vintage bamboo boho...
Bamboo
Louis XVI Style Chinoiserie Lacquer Side Table, circa 1900
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality late 19th century French Chinoiserie lacquer and inset mother of pearl side table, the lacquer top depicting Lilly's, butterflies and insets, having silver plated mold...
Mahogany, Lacquer
Vintage Oriental Chinoiserie Ebonised Hand Painted Pedestal Side End Lamp Table
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this Vintage Oriental Hand-painted Pedestal Side End Lamp Table. A charming oriental hand-painted design. We have lightly restored this by givi...
Walnut
Fine Antique Victorian Chinese Chinoiserie Hand Painted Side End Lamp Wine Table
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely circa 1880-1900 hand made Chinese Chinoiserie side table in Walnut with stunning original...
Walnut