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.
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
Antique Lacquered Chinoiserie Dressing Table
Located in London, GB
A stunning antique lacquered chinoiserie dressing table of the highest order. This was made in England, it dates from the 1900-1920 period. It is of outstanding quality and is a ver...
Mirror, Wood
Antique Japanese Wood & Brass Small Low Kyodai Vanity Dressing Table with Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Antique Japanese Wood & Brass Small Low Kyodai Vanity Dressing Table with Beveled Gla...
Brass
Fine Chinoiserie Decorated Dressing Table Circa 1900
Located in Dereham, GB
Fine Chinoiserie Decorated Dressing Table circa 1900 Cream in colour7 Drawer Base Decorated With Houses, Figures, Trees, Flowers , & Foliage Sitting on Cabriole shaped Legs, With: F...
Lacquer
EXQUISITE CHINESE CHINOISERIE WALNUT DRESSING TABLE & CHAIR PART OF A SUiTE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely original Circa 1920's Chinese Chinoiserie hand painted dressing table and chair which is part of...
Wood
EXQUISITE CHiNESE CHINOISERIE WALNUT DRESSING TABLE & STOOL PART OF A SUITE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning original circa 1920's Hand made Chinese Chinoiserie dressing table with tri folding mirrors an...
Mirror, Walnut
$1,715
H 63.39 in W 48.43 in D 20.48 in
VINTAGE QUEEN ANNE STYLE LEGS DRESSING TABLE VANITY WITH LARGE MiRROR
Located in Pulborough, GB
Antiques of London This elegant dressing table in the Queen Anne style features a stunning hardwood with a rich, warm finish. The serpentine front is complemented by six drawers,...
Hardwood
Vintage Walnut Dressing Table, 1930s
Located in South Shields, GB
A solid mahogany Art Deco dressing table with a stepped top and large circular mirror set on a shaped backplate. Fitted with two banks of four drawers and a central drawer above the ...
Wood, Walnut
Jacques Adnet Modernist Dressing Table circa 1935
Located in CA, CA
This supremely rare early Modernist dressing table by Jacques Adnet, with its novel use of clear and opaline glass, and nickel-plated and pain...
Nickel
$2,112Sale Price|23% Off
H 63 in W 42.52 in D 18.12 in
English Dressing Table, Nutwood & Brass, Edwardian Style, Circa 1900
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Well-restored English dressing table from around 1900, crafted in nutwood with elegant proportions and a warm, natural tone. The piece features an oval tilting mirror framed by two s...
Brass
Vintage Oval Wicker Dressing Table with Stool, 20th Century Design
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage wicker dressing table / writing table with stool. It is oval shaped with a raised galleried back. There is one center drawer. This very ...
Wicker
Fine French Art Deco amboyna vanity/ dressing table w/ brass trim
Located in New York City, NY
As an ode to the glamour of the Roaring Twenties, this stunning original 1930s dressing table exudes Hollywood glamour with its exotic amboyna g...
Brass
$2,995
H 59.25 in W 34.25 in D 19.75 in
Early Widdicomb Victorian Mahogany Dressing Table With Mirror, Circa 1890s
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Victorian vanity or dressing table with mirror By Widdicomb USA, Circa 1890s Carved mahogany, with original brass hardware. Measures: 34.25"W x 19.75"D x 59.25...
Brass
$2,919
H 71.26 in W 35.44 in D 13.39 in
Ico Parisi 1950s Dressing Table, Glass & Hand-Carved Beech Wood
By Ico Parisi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
An extraordinarily elegant dressing table or vanity by Italian designer Ico Parisi. This wonderful piece of furniture has a glass dressing / console table at a height of 90cm below w...
Brass
$2,301
H 55.12 in W 35.44 in D 17.33 in
Bamboo and Rattan Vanity / Dressing Table with Drawer and Mirror, 1970's Mid-cen
Located in Cork, IE
With an arched bamboo frame and rounded corners this vanity table is a great example of organic modernism often found in European furniture designs from the 1970's. Well crafted and...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
A Very Fine 19th Century Dressing Table Attributed to 'Gillows'
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine 19th Century well figured mahogany dressing table attributed to 'Gillows'. This fabulous piece is stunningly hand carved, of exceptional quality and richly patinated wit...
Mahogany
French 19th Century Empire-Style Dressing Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This exceptional mahogany dressing table is complete with its original mercury glass pivoting mirror and white marble top. The mirror exhibits some foxing and is framed with beautifu...
Ormolu
$3,053
H 67.72 in W 42.52 in D 17.72 in
Mid-Century Modern Memphis Style Dressing Table/ Vanity in Lacquered Wood, 1960s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Memphis Style Dressing Table/ Vanity in Lacquered wood, 1960s This dressing table is in fair condition. Damages are se...
Wood
Antique Lacquered Chinoiserie Dressing Table
Located in London, GB
A stunning antique lacquered chinoiserie dressing table with a matching mirror. This was made in England, it dates from the 1900-10 period. ...
Mirror, Wood
English Chinoiserie Decorated Queen Anne Vanity Dressing Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Charming diminutive English Queen Anne style vanity dressing table featuring an Asian lacquer decorated case made in the 19th century Chinoiserie revival period of Western Europe. Th...
Brass
Sold
H 59.85 in W 41.74 in D 20.48 in
EXQUISITE CHiNESE EXPORT CHINOISERIE WALNUT DRESSING TABLE PART OF A SUITe
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning original circa 1920's Hand made Chinese Chinoiserie dressing table...
Mirror, Walnut
Vintage Hollywood Regency Split Reed Rattan Vanity
Located in Raymondville, TX
A vintage Palm Beach Regency split reed rattan dressing table or desk with mirror. This large vanity features seven spacious drawers, a solid tea...
Bamboo, Rattan, Reed, Mirror, Teak
Sold
H 30.25 in W 36 in D 22 in
English 19th Century Japanned Desk with Black and Gold Chinoiserie Décor
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English japanned kneehole desk from the 19th century with black and gold Chinoiserie décor, eight drawers and central door. Perfect to be used as a small desk or a dressing table, this English table from the 19th century captures our attention with its Chinoiserie décor adorning all sides (except for the back). The table features a rectangular top showcasing an exquisite scene with pagodas in traditional landscapes with figures engaged in various activities. The façade presents an arched knee hole with single door on the back panel, surrounded by two long drawers at the top, followed by two columns of three drawers on each side. Luscious foliage and additional figures make up this frontal japanned décor. The side panels are decorated with hand-painted scene, the back is plain. The ensemble is raised on four bracket feet complementing the ensemble beautifully. With its small proportions and exquisite japanned black and gold décor...
Wood
Sold
H 69.5 in W 38.25 in D 14.75 in
Vintage Korean Mother of Pearl Oriental Lacquer Low Vanity Table with Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Korean Mother of Pearl Oriental Lacquer Low vanity table with Mirror. Item features a low sleek design, stunning figural mother of pearl...
Mother-of-Pearl, Glass, Wood
Sold
H 28.13 in W 50 in D 18 in
Michael Taylor for Baker Far East Collection Ebonized Chinoiserie Vanity Desk
By Baker Furniture Company, Michael Taylor
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional midcentury Hollywood Regency chinoiserie vanity desk designed by Michael Taylor for his far east collection for Baker furniture. The ...
Mirror, Walnut
Antique Chinoiserie Dressing Table
Located in Locust Valley, NY
Antique chinoiserie dressing table with folding sides and hinged mirror. When closed measures 16.75" D x 32.5" H x 24" W.
Giltwood
Sold
H 31 in W 44.5 in D 24 in
18th-19th Century Chinese Export Chinoiserie Lacquer Decorated Knee Hole Desk
Located in Stamford, CT
A wonderfully all over decorated Chinoiserie decorated knee hole desk. Decorated bracket Feet support the three central drawers flanked by a set of three matching drawers under a lar...
Wood