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.
19th Century Welsh Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
Mid-20th Century Indonesian Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Silk
Late 18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
Early 1900s English Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Wood, Paper
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Wool, Cotton
Late 18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Canvas, Giltwood
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Ceramic
1830s French Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Faience
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Wood
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Wood
1960s Cambodian Vintage Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Brass
20th Century European Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Resin
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
2010s British Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Canvas, Paper
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Enamel
2010s American Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Glass, Wood, Paper
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
2010s British Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
19th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Glass, Wood
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Canvas, Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
20th Century German Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Porcelain
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Canvas
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Glass, Wood
2010s American Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
2010s American Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Silk, Paint, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Ceramic
1860s English Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
Early 1800s English Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
20th Century Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Silk
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Metal
Early 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Silk
2010s American Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Paper, Grasscloth
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Metal
Late 20th Century Taiwanese Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Wood, Paint, Paper
Mid-20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Ceramic
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Canvas, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Canvas, Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Silk
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Ceramic
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Faience
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Wall Decorations
Metal