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.
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Style Lacquered and Gilt Tole Tray Table
Located in Doylestown, PA
Italian Chinoiserie style black lacquered tole tray table with folding ebonized wood base. It features a delightful, intricately hand-painted design with butterflies and flowers in g...
Metal
Wonderful Chinoiserie Bamboo Hand Painted Tole Coffee Cocktail Side Tray Tables
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Pair Of Bamboo Form Base Rectangular Hand Painted Tole Black With Gold Coffee / Cocktail / End / Removable Tray Tables Two Available Each Sold Individually
Metal
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
English Chinoiserie Style Faux Bamboo Lacquered Tray Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Charming English chinoiserie style faux bamboo cocktail table featuring a paper-maché lacquered tray top decorated with intricate Asian motifs. The tray has parcel gilt pagodas and landscapes over a dramatic red ground. The lacquer has a desirable aged craquelure fine webbing on the finish. The later constructed faux bamboo green...
Wood
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
Antique French Country Chinoiserie Lacquered Tole Metal Black Gold Butlers Tray
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Country Chinoiserie Lacquered Tole Metal Black and Gold Butlers Tray. Item features a larger impressive size, painted details of flowers and garden scene, very nice an...
Metal
$895Sale Price|22% Off
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
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
Italian Chinoiserie Tray Table
Located in New York, NY
Italian chinoiserie tray table. Vintage Italian hand painted tole tray on custom folding painted metal stand in rich aubergine, gilt and silver gil...
Tôle
$1,000Sale Price|20% Off
Stylish Black & Gold Chinoiserie Style Tray Coffee Table
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Attractive black and gold chinoiserie style tray top coffee table having elegant splayed legs. The craquelure finish adds an elegance to the piece.
Wood
Antique Chinoiserie Lacquer Tray on Bespoke Stand, Circa 1880-1890's.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique Chinoiserie Lacquer Tray on Bespoke Stand, Circa 1880-1890's.
Lacquer
Antique Brass Tray Table on Black Chinoiserie Base, 20th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 20th century solid brass tray table. The brass tray sits on a carved wood chinoiserie style base with a bottom stretcher.. The base is painted black. The two handled monumental tray is stamped...
Brass
Chinoiserie Papier-Mâché Tray and Faux Bamboo Stand
Located in Palm Beach, FL
19th century English serving tray crafted in papier-mâché and lacquer in classic form and hand decorated in scenes of chinoiserie wi...
Mahogany
1950s Hanging Metal Brass Tray Mid Century Modern Chinoiserie Wall Decor 35 in D
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large vintage Asian handcrafted round tray with a patina from the 1950s. The tray features a hanging hook, allowing it to be displayed on a wall or placed flat as a centerpiece on a ...
Brass
Antique Chinoiserie Tray Table, Hand-Carved Padouk Wood, 1900
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Oriental Folk Art Carved Tray This is a skilfully hand carved piece, the base, the sides and the edges (which form the handles) are all carved with f...
Padouk
Louis XV Style Chinoiserie Tray Top Low Table
Located in New York, NY
Decorated with floral blossoms and birds in crimson, blue, and gilt on an ivory ground; the shaped removable tray top on a conforming base with cabriole legs ending in pad feet.
Wood
Chinoiserie Breakfast Tray Table on Faux Bamboo Folding Stand c.1890
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just in this beautiful antique Chinoiserie Breakfast Tray on Faux Bamboo Folding Stand C.1890. This tray is very versatile you can use it for breakfast in bed or as a tray table or s...
Metal
Early 20th Century Elegant Oriental Tray Table on a Bamboo Stand
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Very refined tray table with removable tray with oriental origins, probably from 1920s China. The frame looks pleasantly fragile and is made of bamboo. The tray is made of lacquer...
Bamboo, Wood, Lacquer
Vintage Maitland-Smith Hand-Painted Lacquered Bird Hunt Tray Table
Located in Cookeville, TN
Vintage Maitland-Smith hand-painted lacquered tray table featuring an intricate bird hunt scene and richly detailed gilt accents. The removable tray top showcases a dark ground with ...
Wood, Paint
An English Hand-painted Papier-mâché Tray on Later Stand, 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
An English Hand-painted Papier-mâché Tray on Later Stand, 19th Century Description: The tray is made of lacquered papier-mâché, a common material for decorative household items in t...
Wood, Lacquer
Antique Brass Tray Table on Black Chinoiserie Base, 20th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 20th century solid brass tray table. The brass tray sits on a carved wood chinoiserie style base with a bottom stretcher.. The base is painted black. The two handled monumental...
Brass
Chinoiserie Bamboo Tray Table, Hand-Painted, Late 19th Century, UK
Located in Malibu, CA
Asian bamboo tray table with handpainted with birds & branches. A handle on the top for moving around easily. The painted motif is visible on both trays. There are two shelves to...
Bamboo, Wood
Large Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Round Red Tole Tray
Located in Pearland, TX
A large Mid-Century Chinoiserie dark red round tole tray with gold details. No maker's mark. This stunning tray is a nice large size decorated with hand painted figures in a Chinese ...
Tôle
Oriental Folk Art Carved Red Lacquer Tray Decorated with Cockerels
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Oriental Folk Art Carved Red Lacquer Tray Decorated with Cockerels This is a superb piece of hand carving, the edge of the tray is in the form of a cockerels with their tails entwi...
Lacquer
English Papier Mache Table on Faux Bamboo Stand
Located in New York, NY
English papier-mâché tray table on a faux bamboo stand, showcasing a richly decorated, time-worn surface with gilt accents. The removable tray top lifts to reveal a red felt-lined ba...
Hardwood
English Bamboo Tray Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage English bamboo and chinoiserie decorated tray table. Circa 1960. A timeless and classic touch for a fine interior.
Bamboo
$895Sale Price|22% Off
H 18 in W 24.5 in D 17.5 in
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
Circa 1930s English Tray Top Table with Faux Bamboo Base
Located in Troy, MI
Found in England, this circa 1930s tray top table has a black and gilded faux bamboo base with an X-form stretcher. Removable tray top has a deep green painted finish with gilded pai...
Wood
$1,595
H 22.25 in W 25 in D 19 in
Early 20th Century French Hand Painted Tole Tray Table With Removable Trays
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This early twentieth century French tole tray table is painted yellow with black detailing. Its two removable trays feature central lyre motifs and are detailed with a leaf motif. Ea...
Tin
1900's Faux Bamboo Folding Butler Tray
Located in Denton, TX
Faux Bamboo butler tray with ornate brass handles and folding stand. Circa 1900 made in England for garden parties and entertainment.
Burlap, Oak
$1,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 21.5 in W 36 in D 24 in
Stylish Black & Gold Chinoiserie Style Tray Coffee Table
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Attractive black and gold chinoiserie style tray top coffee table having elegant splayed legs. The craquelure finish adds an elegance to the piece.
Wood
$750
H 20 in W 26.5 in D 16 in
Maison Jansen, Hollywood Regency, Faux Bamboo, Brass, Tray Top Table, 1950s
Located in Stamford, CT
Maison Jansen, Hollywood Regency, Faux Bamboo, Brass, Tray Top Table A chic bronze faux bamboo table, the tray top with handles raised on a folded base. Stamped Jansen Industria, Ar...
Bronze
Baker Brass and Faux Bamboo Hollywood Regency Cocktail Table
Located in Buchanan, MI
A baker brass and faux bamboo Hollywood Regency cocktail table. Faux bamboo base with a glass and brass oval top 16.5" x 44" x 21".
Brass
Faux Bamboo Red Lacquer Chinoiserie Tray Table
Located in Norwood, NJ
Red lacquer and gilt decoration with florals, birds and butterflies. Faux bamboo legs and cross stretcher. Removable tray top with felt interior. This tastefully designed tray table ...
Wood, Lacquer
English Chinoiserie Tole Tray Table
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a very good example of an English Victorian Tole Tray decorated with a Chinoiserie theme. The tray is in overall very good condition with n...
Metal
19th Century Mahogany Faux Bamboo Butler Tray Table
Located in Germantown, MD
A 19th Century George III style Mahogany butler Tray Table. This can may be used as two separate pieces as the base may be used as a stand alone table. Tray is 27.5" in width, 17" in...
Mahogany
$1,200
H 19 in W 31.5 in D 25.75 in
Antique Chinoiserie Lacquer Tray on Bespoke Stand, Circa 1880-1890's.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique Chinoiserie Lacquer Tray on Bespoke Stand, Circa 1880-1890's.
Lacquer
$757Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.79 in W 23.04 in D 14.49 in
Hollywood Regency Italian Tray in Brass Faux Bamboo and Fumè Glass, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
A splendid midcentury golden serving tray, in brass faux bamboo and fumè glass. This vintage tray is made in Italy, and datable between the 1960s and the 1970s; a functional serving ...
Brass
Chinoiserie Coffee Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant Chinoiserie Coffee Table, probably American, circa 1950s.
Wood
Chinoiserie Papier Mache Oval Tray Table
Located in Astoria, NY
Chinoiserie Papier Mache Oval Tray Table, the oval top with painted and gilt figural courtyard scene above later faux bamboo legs conjoined by...
Faux Bamboo, Wood
Sold
H 10 in W 22 in D 12 in
Vintage Mid Century Bamboo & Woven Rattan Bed Breakfast Tray with Cup Holder
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Beautifully handcrafted and full of coastal charm, this vintage bamboo and woven rattan bed tray embodies the breezy elegance of mid-century tropical design. Constructed from warm ho...
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan, Wood
Mid-Century Chinoiserie Faux Bamboo Tray Table by Baker Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage Mid-Century Tray Table featuring an Ebonized & gilded removable scalloped tray resting atop a solid cross brace faux bamboo stand hand painted to give a faux tortoiseshell fi...
Wood, Lacquer
Sold
H 27.5 in W 28.75 in D 16.75 in
19th Century Chinese Drink Trolly or Tea Tray on Castors with Birds & Flowers
Located in Round Top, TX
Highly decorative drink trolly, tea tray or bar cart from China resting on four castors. Various birds, flowers, leaves and more embellish the two trays. Painted finish, primarily b...
Wood, Paint
Black and Gold Faux Bamboo Coffee Tray Table Circa 1940s
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant black and gold faux bamboo coffee table with removable tray, American, circa 1940s. This table is perfect for entertaining as the tray top can be removed.
Wood
Dog Desk Tray Table
Located in Kennesaw, GA
Three items . Private offer.
Metal
Chinoiserie Black Lacquer and Parcel Gilt Tray Table
Located in New York, NY
Made in the 1930s, this wood chinoiserie tray table consists of a detachable tray top and base, both in a rich black lacquer and parcel gilt decor. A hand-painted gilt landscape ador...
Wood
A Painted and Parcel Gilt Tray Top Table
Located in New York, NY
A charming little table with lovely painted Chinoiserie decoration. The top is a removable painted glass tray framed in a scalloped edge. A stylish, versatile little table that can ...
Glass, Wood
Chinoiserie Tray Table
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is an unusually large classic mid-19th century English papier mache tray with a later custom stand. This large papier mache tray table is...
Wood, Paper
Chinoiserie Tray Top Coffee Table by Theodore Alexander
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Amazing Chinoiserie Tray Top Coffee Table by Theodore Alexander. It has the label in the bottom. Painted and gilt imbuya tray table. Dish tray top and brass hardware Beautiful turned...
Brass
Circa 1830 English Tole Tray on Steel Stand
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A large c.1830 English Tole Tray - the gilt chinoiserie decoration on black ground in fine unrestored condition. Now on an interesting steel stand of cerrule form made in the 1930's....
Metal, Steel