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.
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
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
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
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
Christopher Guy “ Vanity Fair” dressing table
Located in Charleston, SC
Custom made Christopher Guy “vanity Fair” dressing table in a Java Café Varnish and Black Sea Silver Leaf finish. Retails at $6,101 plus shipping. Sophisticated and elegant mahogany ...
Silver Leaf
$4,709
H 71.26 in W 35.44 in D 13.39 in
Ico Parisi Vanity Dressing Table, Glass & Beech Wood, Italy, 1950s
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
Swedish Art Deco Dressing Table Vanity
Located in Atlanta, GA
Unique Art Deco dressing table with foldable mirrors. Ample storage on the sides and pull-out drawer in the center.
Mirror, Teak
$2,171
H 64.97 in W 49.22 in D 15.75 in
Midcentury Mirrored Dressing Table in Sycamore and Walnut, France, circa 1950
Located in London, GB
Midcentury mirrored dressing table in sycamore and walnut, France, circa 1950. The vanity table has a large trifold mirror. Two central drawers flanked by a cupboard on either side, ...
Brass
1960s Fully Restored Danish Teak Dressing, Vanity Table
Located in Knebel, DK
Danish teak dressing - vanity table from the 1960s. The vanity table features a large adjustable mirror, an original black glass table top and 5 spacious drawers with room for wha...
Teak
Art Deco Walnut Dressing Table circa 1930s
By Harry & Lou Epstein Furniture Co
Located in Dereham, GB
Art Deco Walnut Dressing Table circa 1930s, Very stylish with dark cross grain walnut veneer, & lighter figured walnut veneer Circular...
Walnut
Antiqued Serpentine Mirrored Vanity Dressing Table or Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A striking mirrored vanity dressing table or writing desk from the San Francisco estate of late California senator Dianne Feinstein, (1933-2023). The elegant piece features a scallop...
Metal
English Bamboo Dressing Table
Located in New York, NY
Impressive English bamboo dressing table adorned with beveled mirror. Beautifully lacquered top in a richly textured floral chinoiserie motif w...
Bamboo
$5,000
H 33.5 in W 35.75 in D 22.75 in
Finnegan’s of London Exquisite Mahogany Dressing Table with Accessories
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of a Finnegan’s of London exquisite dressing table in solid mahogany and mahogany veneer. The fold out table supports a three mirror...
Sterling Silver
$1,750
H 59 in W 27.75 in D 13.75 in
French Ormolu-Mounted Kingwood and Parquetry Vanity Dressing Table
Located in Doylestown, PA
French Louis XV style ormolu-mounted kingwood and satinwood parquetry dressing table or coiffeuse, late 19th century. Incredibly luxurious petite dressing table...
Ormolu
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
French Art Deco Vanity or Dressing Table, 1930s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and rare Art Deco vanity or dressing table. Design in the style of Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann. Striking French design from the 1930s. Black lacquered walnut and burl base wit...
Granite, Marble, Brass
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
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 Michael Taylor, Baker Furniture Company
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