Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
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.
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Bamboo, Rattan
1920s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood, Paint
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Hardwood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Giltwood
1890s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood, Lacquer
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Jade
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Burl
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Rosewood
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Rosewood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Softwood
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood, Lacquer
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood
1920s French Vintage Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood
1970s British Vintage Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Elm
20th Century Scandinavian Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Bronze
1880s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood
1960s Danish Vintage Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Ceramic, Wood
1960s Danish Vintage Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Oak
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood
1960s Danish Vintage Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Rosewood
1960s Danish Vintage Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Rosewood
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood, Lacquer
1960s Danish Vintage Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Teak
1960s Danish Vintage Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Teak
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Mahogany
1960s Belgian Vintage Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Teak
1950s Vintage Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood, Paint
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Hardwood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Rosewood
1970s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Bamboo, Rattan
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Wood
1890s British Antique Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Pine, Hardwood
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Other
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables
Glass