Chinoiserie 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.
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
2010s American Chinoiserie Tables
Wood, Shagreen
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Tables
Mahogany
20th Century North American Chinoiserie Tables
Gold
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Faux Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
1960s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Wood, Paint
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Other
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Lacquer
20th Century American Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Tables
Metal, Tôle
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Tables
Lacquer
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Oak, Lacquer
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Tables
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Tables
Leather, Wood
1970s British Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Faux Bamboo
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Tables
Bamboo, Wood, Lacquer
20th Century Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
Mid-19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Other
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Copper, Pewter
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Grasscloth, Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Tables
Wood, Burl
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Tables
Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Tables
Metal
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Tables
Faux Bamboo, Wood
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Faux Bamboo
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Tables
Marble
Mid-20th Century English Chinoiserie Tables
Marble
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
1960s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Wood, Lacquer
1970s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Brass
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Brass
1960s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Ceramic
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Gold Leaf
1940s Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Tables
Ormolu, Bronze
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Tables
Marble
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Tables
Seagrass, Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Tables
Carrara Marble
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Tables
Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Tables
Poplar
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Tables
Glass, Wood
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Tables
Tôle
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Tables
Walnut
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Gold Leaf
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Bamboo
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Tables
Lacquer
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Gold, Ormolu
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Walnut
Late 20th Century British Chinoiserie Tables
Resin
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Tables
Fabric, Wood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Tables
Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood
Early 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Brass
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Brass
1950s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Brass
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Bronze
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Tables
Porcelain
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Wood, Lacquer
1940s French Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Porcelain
1970s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Brass