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.
Set of 12 Original Antique Botanical Prints After Sowerby. English 18th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful set of 12 botanical prints. Hand coloured copper-plate engravings After drawings by J.Sowerby Published by W.Curtis 1793 Unframed. The measurement given is for one pri...
Paper
4 Liu Kuiling Beasts Hanging Scrolls Cats Monkeys Rabbits Squirrels 38"
Located in Dayton, OH
Four vintage Chinese hanging scroll prints after Liu Kuiling, circa 1979. Titled the Four Beasts paintings collection and includes: Rabbits in a Bamboo garden; Squirrels in a gnarle...
Paper
Japanese Ohara Koson Snipes Herons Birds Reeds Woodblock Prints 32"
Located in Dayton, OH
Two Japanese Ukiyo-e woodblock prints by artist Ohara Koson (1877–1945), titled Snipes and Reeds and Herons in Reeds. Ohara Koson, a master of the kachō-ga (bird-and-flower) genre, ...
Paint, Paper
2 Japanese Tokuriki Asada Pagoda Temple Moonlight Woodblock Prints 20"
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of mid 20th century Japanese woodblock prints - "The Courtyard of the Heian Shrine in Kyoto" by Tomikichiro Tokuriki and "Kiyomizu Temple in Moonlight" by Benji Asada...
Paper
4 International Art Publishing Co. Chinese Qing Dynasty Style Figure Lithographs
Located in Dayton, OH
4 I.A.P. Co. Chinese Qing Dynasty Style Figure Lithographs. International Art Publishing Co. of Detroit, MI. "Chinese Figure No.1-4". Includes A man and woman and two soldiers in traditional Qing Dynasty Clothing...
Paper
Worcester Porcelain Vase Design by Donaldson, Deep Blue Ground, 1910
Located in Langweer, NL
Worcester Porcelain Vase Design by Donaldson, Deep Blue Ground, 1910 This striking chromolithograph depicts a large Worcester porcelain vase design after Donaldson, distinguished by...
Paper
Original Antique Print of a Chinese Vase, 'Detail', France, circa 1860
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful print of the decoration found on an antique Chinese vase Lithograph Published by A.Morel, Paris, France. circa 1860 Unframed.
Paper
Philip & Kelvin Laverne Iconic Pair of "Chinois Plaques", 1960s, 'Signed'
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of "Chinois Plaques", models 101 and 102, in patinated and engraved bronze and pewter with hand-painted enamels by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, American 1960's (signed). The delicately engraved scenes are exquisite. Reference: ALCHEMY: THE ART OF PHILIP AND KELVIN LAVERNE written by Evan Lobel with Kelvin LaVerne, published by Pointed Leaf Press...
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
Vintage Japanese Original Woodblock in Stylish Frame by Tsuchiya Kōitsu, 1939
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Please note: this is NOT a copy of a print. It is a real vintage woodblock from Japan and has been see by Auction house. It was purchased from the original owner. A very wealthy Art ...
Paper
2 Japanese Ukiyo-e Kikukawa Eizan Courtesan Geisha Musician Woodblock Prints 32"
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of vintage 20th century Japanese woodblock prints after ukiyo-e style art of geishas / courtesans by Kikukawa Eizan. One shows a seated courtesan in a pink floral kimono playing...
Paper
Original Antique Print of The Royal Golden Barge, Myanmar. C.1800
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful print of the Royal Golden Barge Copper-plate engraving Published C.1800 Unframed.
Paper
Original Antique Print of a Chinese and Japanese Plate, France, circa 1860
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful print of a Chinese and Japanese plate Lithograph Published by A.Morel, Paris, France, circa 1860 Unframed.
Paper
Versace Atelier Gold and Black Framed Scarf with Chinoiserie Decoration, 90s
Located in Roma, IT
I offer for sale a splendid wall decoration obtained by framing a Vintage Silk Scarf, dating back to the late 80s/early 90s, by Versace Atelier, a high fashion line of the Italian br...
Silk
$690Sale Price / item|71% Off
Brunschwig and Fils Bamboo Grove Handprinted Floral Wallpaper, Celadon Cream USA
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Brunschwig and Fils bamboo grove handprinted floral wallpaper, Celadon Cream, USA. Listing is for a triple roll (15 yards x 36”). Gorgeous chinoiserie print. No longer in production.
Paper
Vintage Boho Transferware China Original Prints - Set of 6
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stunning set of six vintage prints captures the enduring elegance of 19th-century blue and white transferware. Each piece meticulously depicts classic Chinoiserie motifs, from intricate pastoral landscapes to ornate floral borders, evocative of historical Staffordshire...
Paper
Antique Japanese Chikanobu Toyohara Triptych Samurai Warrior Woodblock Print
Located in Dayton, OH
Very impressive and colorful antique hand colored triptych woodblock print titled "September - Origin of Somei Chrysanthemum" from Toyohara Chikanobu's series "12 Months of Customs &...
Paper
Vintage Boho 19th Century Transfers China Prints - Set of 4
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This elegant set of four vintage prints celebrates the timeless beauty of 19th-century blue and white transferware. Each piece features a detailed circular rendering of classic Chino...
Paper
Worcester Porcelain Designs, Dish, Covered Vase & Tea Wares, Gold Decor, 1910
Located in Langweer, NL
Worcester Porcelain Designs, Dish, Covered Vase & Tea Wares, Gold Decor, 1910 NOTE: The prints are offered unframed, giving flexibility to select a frame that best suits the intende...
Paper
Worcester Porcelain Blue-Ground Designs, Vase, Coffee Pot & Mug, 1910
Located in Langweer, NL
Worcester Porcelain Blue-Ground Designs, Vase, Coffee Pot & Mug, 1910 This decorative group of three original chromolithographs presents a coherent and visually rich selection of Wo...
Paper
Worcester Porcelain Dessert Dish Design, Deep Blue Ground with Pierced Rim, 1910
Located in Langweer, NL
Worcester Porcelain Dessert Dish Design, Deep Blue Ground with Pierced Rim, 1910 This refined chromolithograph illustrates a Worcester porcelain dessert dish of notable elegance, pu...
Paper
Pair of Worcester Porcelain Vase Designs by Donaldson, Gilt Blue Grounds, 1910
Located in Langweer, NL
Pair of Worcester Porcelain Vase Designs by Donaldson, Gilt Blue Grounds, 1910 This decorative pair of chromolithographs illustrates two Worcester porcelain vase designs after Donal...
Paper
Original Antique Print of The Pazhou Pagoda, Guangzhou, China. Dated 1831
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful image of The Pazhou Pagoda Fine steel engraving after Copley Fielding Published by Fisher. Dated 1831 The measurement given is the paper size Unframed.
Paper
Worcester Porcelain Covered Vase Design with Phoenix, Green Ground, 1910
Located in Langweer, NL
Worcester Porcelain Covered Vase Design with Phoenix, Green Ground, 1910 This refined chromolithograph illustrates an elaborate covered vase design produced for Worcester porcelain,...
Paper
Worcester Porcelain Dish Design with Turquoise Border, Gold Decor, 1910
Located in Langweer, NL
Worcester Porcelain Dish Design with Turquoise Border, Gold Decor, 1910 This original chromolithograph illustrates a Worcester porcelain dish design distinguished by its refined tur...
Paper
Pair of Worcester Porcelain Vase Designs, Pheasant & Panels, Gold Decorated 1910
Located in Langweer, NL
Pair of Worcester Porcelain Vase Designs, Pheasant & Panels, Gold Decorated, 1910 This decorative pair of chromolithographic plates from 1910 illustrates two refined English porcela...
Paper
Worcester Porcelain Decorative Object Print, Gilded, 1910, Unframed
Located in Langweer, NL
Worcester Porcelain Decorative Object Design with Gilding, 1910 This original chromolithograph illustrates a decorative Worcester porcelain object, notable for its elegant proportio...
Paper
Original Antique Print - The Road of Pillars, China, C.1820
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great print of the Road of Pillars, China Copper-plate engraving Published by Thomas Kelly, C.1820 Unframed.
Paper
Original Antique Botanical Print, Lisianthus Princeps, circa 1835
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful botanical print. Lithograph by J & J Parkin and D.Hayes After C.W Harrison Original hand color Published, circa 1835 Unframed.
Paper
Pair of Worcester Porcelain Vase Designs, Apple-Green & Pink Scale Grounds, 1910
Located in Langweer, NL
Pair of Worcester Porcelain Vase Designs, Apple-Green & Pink Scale Grounds, 1910 This elegant pair of original chromolithographs illustrates two contrasting yet harmonious Worcester...
Paper
Italian Hand Painted Japanese "SATSUMA" Vase Print with Wooden Bamboo Frame
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Extra Large Art Print of a Japanese "SATSUMA" vase. Printed by hand on engraving paper with an antique star press. Completely hand-coloured by our ski...
Wood, Paper
Italian Hand Painted Japanese "SATSUMA" Vase Print with Wooden Bamboo Frame
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Extra Large Art Print of a Japanese "SATSUMA" vase. Printed by hand on engraving paper with an antique star press. Completely handcoloured by our skil...
Wood, Paper