Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
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.
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Enamel, Pewter, Bronze
1860s English Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
2010s Chinese Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
1970s German Vintage Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paint
1960s Cambodian Vintage Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Brass
1840s English Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
1940s American Vintage Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Wood, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paint
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Wood
1880s British Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Ceramic, Faience
1920s French Vintage Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Wood, Paper
2010s Romanian Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Other
20th Century Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Fabric
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Canvas, Giltwood, Paint
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Ceramic
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Canvas
Early 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Textile
20th Century Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paint
1830s English Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Faux Bamboo, Paper
2010s American Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Silk
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Bronze
20th Century Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Porcelain, Hardwood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Canvas, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Faux Bamboo, Wood, Paper
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Canvas, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Canvas, Paint
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Ceramic
2010s American Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
2010s American Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
Early 19th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Wood, Paper
2010s American Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Enamel
Late 18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
1830s English Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
2010s Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Other
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Canvas, Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Hardwood
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Wood
Early 20th Century European Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
Early 1900s French Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Giltwood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Silk, Paint, Paper
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
Early 1900s English Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
2010s American Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Textile, Wool
Early 1800s English Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper