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.
Late 18th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century Indonesian Chinoiserie Tables
Bamboo, Wicker
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Glass, Wood, Paint
20th Century English Chinoiserie Tables
Bamboo
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Tables
Faux Leather, Oak
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Mirror, Walnut
20th Century Chinoiserie Tables
Elm
20th Century American Chinoiserie Tables
Glass
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Mirror, Walnut
1970s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Leather, Rosewood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Tables
Giltwood
2010s American Chinoiserie Tables
Gold Leaf
1960s French Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Tables
Glass, Wood, Paint
20th Century French Chinoiserie Tables
Marble
Late 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Tables
Teak
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Tables
Brass
1860s European Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Tables
Bamboo, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Tables
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Tables
Marble
Mid-20th Century English Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
1890s Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Bamboo
1910s Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Walnut
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Gold Leaf
1980s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
1820s English Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
Early 1900s Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Padouk
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
1920s French Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
Late 20th Century British Chinoiserie Tables
Resin
1890s French Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Bronze
1880s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Walnut
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Belgian Black Marble
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Lacquer, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Tables
Glass, Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Tables
Glass, Wood
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Tables
Elm
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Tables
Bamboo, Wood
1940s English Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Mother-of-Pearl, Walnut
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Faux Bamboo, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Tables
Carrara Marble
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
1890s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Hardwood
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Brass
1870s Austrian Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Bronze, Ormolu
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Jade
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Mahogany, Lacquer
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Rosewood
Early 20th Century European Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
20th Century European Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Tables
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Lacquer
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Teak, Giltwood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Tables
Bamboo, Wood, Lacquer