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 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.
20th Century French Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Silk
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Silk
20th Century French Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Brass
1960s Cambodian Vintage Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Brass
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Wood, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Silk
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Cotton
20th Century American Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Gold Leaf
20th Century English Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Bamboo
1830s English Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Faux Bamboo, Paper
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Canvas, Paper
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paint
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Silk
2010s British Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Silk
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Wool
20th Century American Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Silver Leaf
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Brass
Mid-20th Century Indonesian Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Silk
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Silk
18th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Mirror, Walnut
2010s Hong Kong Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
1890s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
2010s Chinese Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Giltwood, Paper, Paint
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Ceramic
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Canvas, Wood
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
1990s American Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Wood
2010s American Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
2010s American Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
1880s English Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper, Wood
2010s British Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
1880s English Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Faux Bamboo, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Giltwood, Wood
1830s French Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Faience
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
Early 20th Century Vietnamese Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Wood, Paper
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Wood
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Jade
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Delft, Faience
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Faience, Delft
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
2010s American Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Silk, Paper
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Gesso, Canvas, Wood, Paint
2010s American Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Silk
2010s British Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Canvas
2010s American Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper