Chinoiserie Paintings
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.
1940s American Vintage Chinoiserie Paintings
Wood, Paper
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Paintings
Canvas, Giltwood, Paint
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Paintings
Canvas
Early 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Paintings
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Paintings
Paint
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Paintings
Canvas, Paint
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Paintings
Canvas, Paint
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Paintings
Canvas, Paint
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Chinoiserie Paintings
Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Paintings
Paper
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Paintings
Canvas, Wood
Early 1900s French Antique Chinoiserie Paintings
Paper
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Paintings
Silk, Paint, Paper
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Paintings
Wood
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Paintings
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Paintings
Paper, Faux Bamboo, Paint
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Paintings
Metal, Sheet Metal, Enamel, Copper
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Paintings
Silver Leaf
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Paintings
Paint, Canvas
2010s American Chinoiserie Paintings
Silk
18th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Paintings
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Paintings
Paint, Paper
Late 18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Paintings
Canvas, Giltwood
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Paintings
Silk, Paint, Paper
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Paintings
Metal
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Paintings
Silk, Paint
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Paintings
Fruitwood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Paintings
Paint, Paper
2010s Hong Kong Chinoiserie Paintings
Paper
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Paintings
Silk, Paint
20th Century French Chinoiserie Paintings
Silk
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Paintings
Paper
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Paintings
Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Paintings
Metal
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Paintings
Silk, Paint
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Paintings
Paint
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Paintings
Hardwood, Paper
2010s American Chinoiserie Paintings
Silk, Paper
20th Century French Chinoiserie Paintings
Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Paintings
Canvas, Wood
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Paintings
Wood, Paper
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Paintings
Canvas, Paper
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Paintings
Paint
Early 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Paintings
Canvas
20th Century American Chinoiserie Paintings
Silver Leaf
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Paintings
Paper
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Paintings
Paper
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Paintings
Canvas, Wood
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Paintings
Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century Taiwanese Chinoiserie Paintings
Wood, Paint, Paper
20th Century American Chinoiserie Paintings
20th Century American Chinoiserie Paintings
Paint
20th Century Chinoiserie Paintings
Canvas
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Paintings
Canvas
Early 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Paintings
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Paintings
Canvas, Wood, Paint