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.
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Bamboo, Lacquer
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
1980s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Mirror, Walnut
20th Century English Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
1860s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Griotte Marble, Ormolu
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
1980s Hong Kong Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
1950s British Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
1940s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Mahogany, Lacquer
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Lacquer, Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Tables
Lacquer
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Tables
Glass, Wood
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Tables
Porcelain, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Tables
Brass
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Rosewood
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Tables
Glass, Wood
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Tables
Alabaster
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Hardwood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Tables
Brass
1960s Central Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Glass, Wood, Lacquer, Paint
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Rosewood
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Walnut
Early 20th Century European Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Tables
Wood, Paint
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Cherry, Paint
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Travertine
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Tables
Softwood
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century European Chinoiserie Tables
Lacquer
1940s English Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Mother-of-Pearl, Walnut
20th Century American Chinoiserie Tables
Aluminum
1970s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Walnut
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Stone
20th Century Chinoiserie Tables
Wood, Giltwood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Tables
Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Tables
Brass
1940s American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
1970s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Faux Bamboo, Cane, Glass
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
20th Century Southeast Asian Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Tables
Marble
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Tables
Wood, Lacquer
1960s French Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Bronze
1890s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Marble
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Tables
Oak, Glass
20th Century European Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Tables
Bronze