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.
$1,400Sale Price|30% Off
Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Style Elm Altar Wine Table Hall Console 35"
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid-century Chinese elm altar table. Showcasing a compact, provincial silhouette rich in rustic character. The rectangular top is constructed with traditional thick elm planks set fl...
Elm
1960s Italian Black & Gilt Chinoiserie French Louis XV Style Console Table
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mod-century Italian black and gilt chinoiserie console table. It has a lovely pastoral chinoiserie top, and it is a nice size. It is unmarked and dates to the 1960s.
Poplar
Mid-Century Brass Faux-Bamboo Pedestal Martini Drink Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A refined mid-century modern brass and copper martini table or drinks pedestal. The slender table combines an engraved octagonal shaped copper tray top decorated with a Chinoiserie s...
Brass, Copper
$2,100Sale Price|30% Off
Vintage Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Carlton House Neoclassical Writing Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th Century Carlton House Writing Desk. Features a chinoiserie lacquered exterior with a bow shaped form featuring a sloped front, eleven drawers and compartments. The desk is...
Hardwood, Lacquer, Paint
Vintage Chinese Console Table Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Gilt Hand Painted c1950
Located in Choudrant, LA
Vintage Chinese Console Table Black Lacquer Gilt Hand Painted Garden Scene c1950. A striking vintage Chinese black lacquer console table, richly hand painted with a detailed garden ...
Wood
English Chinoiserie rolled rim tole tray, c. 1830
Located in Chicago, IL
A beautifully rendered English tole tea tray, painted with an extensive chinoiserie landscape in gilt and bronze powder against a black lacquer ground. The rolled rim encloses a dens...
Enamel, Tin
Chinoiserie Rectangular Coffee Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chinoiserie Coffee table with original black lacquered frame and surface with incredible hand painted red tones with floral and birds. Nice scale and easy to work with your Designed ...
Wood
Italian Petite Hand Painted Gilt Chinoiserie On Black Lacquer Side Table Desk
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a wonderful hand painted Italian side table with a handy single drawer. It has ablack lacquer foundation with gilt pastoral and floral japanning. The single drawer has a yell...
Poplar
$980Sale Price|30% Off
Mid Century Chinese Carved Elm Trunk Hope Chest Coffee Table Camphor Chinoiserie
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid 20th Century Chinese hand-carved Asian hope chest or coffee table. Intricately crafted from solid elm wood, showcasing elaborate high-relief narrative panels on its top and all ...
Elm, Paint
$1,925Sale Price|30% Off
Mid-20th C. Chinese Ming Style Sculptural Elm Altar Wine Table Hall Console 39"
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid-century Chinese provincial elm altar table. Made from elm with clean architectural framing. The rectangular table top features thick inset yumu planks within a wide mitered bord...
Elm
Italian Tray Table Chinoiserie Design
Located in New York, NY
An Italian tray table cocktail table with a Chinoiserie tole tray top and black faux bamboo base, circa mid-20th century, Italy. Table tray is a red burgundy with a gold Chinoiserie landscape and figurative design. Table's base is a black and gold modern faux bamboo design with an 'x' stretcher. Tray and table...
Metal, Tôle
Antique English Chinoiserie Hand Painted Black & Gilt Birds Floral Tole Tray
Located in Pearland, TX
A lovely antique English black tole tray with a hand painted gold gilt birds and floral design, rolled rim, and charming handles, circa 1900. It displays beautifully, a perfect addit...
Tôle
Baker Furniture Style Hollywood Regency Mahogany Console Table, Circa 1960s
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous mid-century Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie console table or sofa table In the manner of Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Carved mahogany, with Asian i...
Mahogany
20th C. English Chinoiserie Ebonized Gilt Tripod Drinks Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A charming side or drinks table crafted in an English Regency style with Chinoiserie decoration. Intentionally distressed lacquer patina on the ebonized hardwood with gilt accents. T...
Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer
Chinese Black Lacquer Games Table with Hand-Painted Floral Decoration
Located in BÉTERA, ES
Elegant Chinese Chinoiserie games table in black lacquer, beautifully decorated with hand-painted floral motifs and delicate gilt details. The shaped hinged top opens to reveal a gre...
Hardwood, Lacquer
18th Century Venetian Rococo Chinoiserie Yellow Polychrome Paint Dressing Table
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and most charming authentic antique Venetian Chinoiserie decorated poudreuse (dressing table) with beautifully aged original patina! Venice, Italy, 18th century A wonderful...
Gesso, Mercury Glass, Wood, Oak, Pine, Paint
Vintage Mario Buatta for John Widdicomb Chinoiserie Ming Cocktail Coffee Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage 1970s Chinoiserie cocktail coffee table by Mario Buatta for John Widdicomb (tagged underneath).Original vintage finish may have minor imperfections, nothing noteable. Dimensi...
Wood
Vintage Chinoiserie Burnt Bamboo Octagon Side Table, Circa 1950s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Small burnt bamboo octagon side table in very good original condition. This Chinoiserie style side / drinks table is a very versatile piece.
Bamboo
Chinese Gilt-Decorated and Lacquered Wood Low Table
Located in Astoria, NY
Chinese Gilt-Decorated and Lacquered Wood Low Table, the top hand-painted with a scene of a birds perched on flowering branches. 18.5" H x 33.5" W x 26.5" D. Provenance: From an Ea...
Wood
Chinoiserie Cherry Blossom Orange and Black Porcelain Garden Stool or Side Table
Located in Elkhart, IN
A classic Chinoiserie orange and black porcelain garden stool, plant stand, or small side table featuring Asian motifs, cherry blossom trees, and birds. The round form gives the pie...
Porcelain
Elegant Chinoiserie Black & Gold Lacquer Coffee Table
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Elegant black and gold lacquer Chinoiserie style coffee table with just the right cracquelure to give it character and depth. The decorative fretwork on the underside is a dark glos...
Lacquer
Baker Furniture Style Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Faux Bamboo Tole Tray Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous mid-century Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie coffee or cocktail table In the manner of Baker furniture USA, Circa 1960s Bamboo base, with faux bamboo green-lacquered tole ...
Bamboo, Lacquer
Rose Tarlow Scalloped Coffee Table Chinoiserie Lacquered
By Rose Tarlow
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A spectacular bespoke Chinoiserie decorated coffee or cocktail table by Rose Tarlow - Melrose House, Los Angeles, California. The scalloped coffee table...
Beech, Giltwood, Lacquer
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
Vintage Chinese Oriental Fretwork Carved Hardwood Altar Console Hall Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Chinese Oriental Fretwork Carved Hardwood Altar Console Hall Table. Circa Lat...
Hardwood
Large Scale Vintage Burl Double Sided Coffee Table
By Henredon, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Las Vegas, NV
This oversized vintage burl coffee table is a fine statement piece. A real substantial piece of furniture. The perfect piece to ground a large living space. We love the fact that ...
Burl
English Faux-Bamboo Mahogany Side Table with Porcelain Top, Circa Early-20th C
Located in New York, NY
A refined, relatively small, English faux-bamboo mahogany wood side accent table with porcelain top, Chinoiserie-Chippendale design period, circa late-19th century to early-20th cent...
Porcelain, Wood, Cherry
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Bronze Coffee Table "Imperial Court Scene"
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Bronze, pewter and enamel coffee table depicting the story of chan by Kelvin and Phillip Laverne. The coffee table has a beautiful vibrant village scene with a wonderful ...
Pewter, Bronze
Gracie Cashew Lacquer Coffee Table with Handpainted Raised Gold Floral Design
By Gracie
Located in New York, NY
A one of a kind handmade coffee table by Gracie's New York artists, c. 2000. This wood table has classic lines, with elegantly tapered horsehoof legs. The top was handpainted with ...
Wood, Lacquer
Chinese Lacquer Tea Coffee Table Inlaid Mother of Pearl Soapstone
Located in Bradenton, FL
Stunning 20th century Chinese Chinoiserie Tea Coffee Table. Table features mother of pearl and soapstone design of Chinese figures on top with scrolled apron containing Chinese flora...
Soapstone
$1,725Sale Price|25% Off
Red Lacquer Chinoiserie Inspired Cabinet that pulls out into a Dining Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful small console or wall table with a bit of storage underneath, however the top pulls out to be a 77" table - full sized to seat 4-6 people. The bold Chinese red lacquer i...
Brass
1970s Monumental Chinoiserie Botanical Style Painted Ebony Chow Coffee Table
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and rare, hand painted coffee table you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The beautiful monumental...
Wood, Paint
Exceptional 1820 - 1840 Gilt Chinoiserie Lacquer Sewing Table, Stunning Detail
Located in New Orleans, LA
Exceptional Early 19th-Century Gilt Chinoiserie Lacquer Sewing Table with Original Ivory Fittings Circa 1820–1840 Ex. Hunt Slonem Collection An extraordinarily elaborate early 19t...
Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer
Antique Asian Buddhist Alter as Narrow Hall Table or Console or Sofa Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Early turn of the century alter table from a south Asian Temple. Heavy solid wood with nice heavy patina in a warm dark brown color. Sure to be an interesting highlight in your space.
Wood
Vintage Brighton Pavillion Style Scorched Bamboo Pedestal / Plant Stand
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This piece features the iconic geometric latticework inspired by the Royal Brighton Pavillion, paired with bentwood arch accents. Made from tortoiseshell or burnt bamboo, also called...
Bamboo
1940s Chinoiserie Ming Style Gilt Hand Painted Wood Coffee Table
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Indulge in the timeless elegance of this exquisite hand carved and painted wood coffee table dating back to the 1940s. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this artistic piec...
Wood, Paint
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
Vintage Chinoiserie Burnt Bamboo and Lacquered Grass Cloth Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage pagoda inspired Chinoiserie desk. It is constructed with a bamboo frame and deep red lacquered grass cloth panels. Typically associated with British Colonial Design. Wonderfu...
Bamboo
ANTiQUE SERPENTINE FRONTED HAND PAINTED CHINOISERIE HARDWOOD DRESSING TABLE DESK
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning and exceptionally decorative serpentine fronted Chinoiserie dressing table, constru...
Wood
Wonderful Red Painted Gold Gilt Chinoiserie Tole Side End Tray Branch Table
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Red Painted & Gold Gilt Chinoiserie Tole Side, End Tray Branch Form Table
Metal
Antique Chinese Carved Hardwood Marble Top Oriental Plant Stand Side Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Chinese Carved Hardwood Marble Top Oriental Plant Stand Side Table with Butterfly and Foo Dog Carvings. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 36" H x 18.5" W x 18.5" D.
Marble
Baker Furniture Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Lacquered Bamboo Top Console Table
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie style two-tier console table or sofa table By Baker Furniture, "Milling Road" Collection USA, Late 20th Century Beautiful deep brown crack...
Bamboo, Wood, Lacquer
$1,120Sale Price|20% Off
Henredon Scene Two Burlwood Ming Dynasty Style Coffee Table
By Henredon
Located in Alhambra, CA
Scene Two, by Henredon, square coffee table. Large olive burl wood table top with Ming Dynasty-style horseshoe legs. 1970's/80's. In overall great vintage condition, and see photos f...
Burl, Wood
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
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
Vintage Oriental Chinese Carved Hardwood Demilune Marble Top Console Hall Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Oriental Chinese Carved Hardwood Demilune Marble Top Console Hall Table. Item...
Marble
1970s Chinoiserie Style Desk Century Furniture's Chin Hua Collection
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
This vintage piece is a 1970s writing desk from Century Furniture's Chin Hua Collection, lesigned by Raymond Sobota. It features a signature Chinoiserie design with an ebonized maple...
Wood, Paint
1900-1909 France Warm Honey Bamboo Faux-Bamboo Side Table
Located in High Point, NC
Faux-bamboo side table in Warm Honey Bamboo. Finished in warm honey bamboo, this faux-bamboo side table is distinguished by bamboo-turned legs, simple round top, reflecting the chino...
Bamboo, Rattan
18th Century Italian Venetian Scarlet Chinoiserie Paint Decorated Writing Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions - H: 32 1/2 in W: 45 1/4 in D: 28 in A remarkable testament to the artistry of eighteenth-century Venetian craftsmanship, this Exceptional 18th Century Italian Venetian Scarlet Chinoiserie Paint Decorated Bombe Writing Desk...
Wood
Vintage Baker Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Coffee Table with Floral and Gold Motifs
Located in Morristown, NJ
20th c., a finely crafted Baker Furniture coffee table inspired by Chinese design elements. The table has a low profile, with a rectangular top, and is ornately decorated with detail...
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Wonderful Bamboo Oval Handpainted Tole Coffee Cocktail Side Tray Table
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Bamboo Form Base Oval Handpainted Tole White With Gold Coffee / Cocktail / End / Removable Tray Table
Metal
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
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
Chinoiserie Papier Mache Tray Table (Tray on Stand) from England
Located in Austin, TX
A beautiful English tray table or tray on stand from the Aesthetic Movement Period, featuring a rectangular tray of papier mache with a recessed center showing a decorative Chinoiser...
Wood, Paper
Schmieg & Kotzian Attributed Chinoiserie Lacquer Coffee Table with Burlwood Top
Located in Morristown, NJ
A 20th century chinoiserie lacquer coffee table attributed to Schmieg & Kotzian. The shaped burlwood veneer top, with its rhythmic, swirling grain, provides warmth and movement with...
Wood, Burl, Paint
19th Century French Chinoiserie Side Table in Lacquered Wood
Located in Stockbridge, GA
19th century French chinoiserie side table.
Wood
Red Chinoiserie Demilune Console Table, 19th Century, China
Located in Atlanta, GA
Red Chinoiserie Demilune Console Table, 19th century, China.
Wood
$760Sale Price|20% Off
Drexel Heritage Mahogany And Ebonized Chinoiserie Decorated Low Table C1950
By Drexel
Located in Big Flats, NY
Drexel Heritage Mahogany and Ebonized Low Table with Gilt Chinoiserie Decoration Raised on Straight Square Legs C1950 Measures- 17.5''H x 38''W x 38'...
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Bamboo Two Tier Side Table with Lacquared Chinoiserie Decor
Located in Steinheim am Albuch, BW
Charming and highly decorative chinoiserie bamboo side table with two lacquered tiers. Both shelfs are hand painted in blacks and reds and gold and for its age the the colors of the...
Wood, Bamboo
Pair of large gilt iron coffee tables with Chinese decorated tops C 1940
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A pair of gilt iron and wood coffee tables with glass tops (not shown) having Chinese lacquered wood inserts C 1940. The two can be used individua...
Iron
$1,000Sale Price|20% Off
Henredon Walnut Ming Style Side Table
By Henredon
Located in Pasadena, TX
This Henredon side table is made of solid walnut. It's made in the chinoiserie ming style. It has hoofed feet and humpback stretches for added stability.
Walnut