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.
$1,760 / set
Pair of Chinoiserie Black and Gilt Brackets
Located in New York, NY
Each decorated with a Chinoiserie figure engaged in a leisurely pursuit; with black banding throughout.
Wood
Pair of European Gilt Wall Brackets of Ho Ho Birds
Located in Chicago, IL
These lavish gilt wall brackets are crafted in a Chinoiserie-meets-Rococo style with a whimsical design of Ho Ho birds perched on scrolled branches. A Western interpretation of the mythical phoenix of Chinese and Japanese decorative arts, the Ho Ho bird is often depicted like an eagle and was a common motif in French and English furniture design beginning in the 18th century. The head and wings of each Ho Ho bird support a small flat shelf...
Resin
Pair of Fern Wall Brackets
Located in New York, NY
American, circa 1850-1880. Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), with wire armature and composition ornament, gessoed and gilded. Measures: 14 1/8 in. high, 16 5/16 in. wide (at the sh...
Wood
$675 / set
H 12 in W 10.75 in D 6.3 in
Pair of Rococo Style Italian Gilt Wall Brackets Shelves, circa 1960
Located in Pearland, TX
A lovely pair of vintage Rococo style Italian gilded resin wall brackets or shelves. These gorgeous brackets are a nice large size decorated with gilt scrolling acanthus leaves, perf...
Resin
$695
H 8.75 in W 8.4 in D 5 in
Pair of Mid-Century Neoclassical Italian Black & Gold Gilt Brackets Shelves
By Borghese
Located in Pearland, TX
A stunning pair of vintage Mid-Century Empire style Italian Borghese ebonized and gilded plaster wall brackets or shelves. These gorgeous brackets have a stylish acanthus leaf design...
Plaster
$850Sale Price / set|35% Off
H 20 in W 14 in D 8 in
Italian Oversized Gilt Wall Brackets/Shelves a Pair
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
1838 Pair Oversized Italian gilt wall shelves/brackets
Cast Stone
Pair of Italian Rococo Architectural Gilt Wall Shelves Brackets
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Gorgeous Italian Pair of Gold Leaf Wall Shelves. This high quality set could certainly stand alone as a pair on a wall or functional to hold treasures on top. Wonderful classic addit...
Gold Leaf
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Pair of Italian Painted and Gilt Wall Brackets. Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Italian carved wood painted and gilt wall brackets with scrolled floral and tassel arms supporting upper shelf. Early 19th Century
Gold Leaf
Pair of Italian Gold Gilt Wall Brackets
Located in Bradenton, FL
A Pair of Italian Rococo Style Gold Gilt Wall Brackets. Brackets feature impressive gold scrolling with floral motif. Top of shelf is painted black. Hangers in place on reverse side....
Resin
Pair of Italian Wall Brackets
Located in Hudson, NY
Pair of Italian Wall Brackets. Black lacquered triangular top over brass tripod base.
Brass
$4,600 / set
H 24 in W 21 in D 12 in
Pair of Antique Italian Giltwood Wall Brackets, Modelled as Ho Ho birds
Located in Montreal, QC
Pair of Italian giltwood wall brackets, each shelf supported by a Ho Ho bird feeding on grapes against an acanthus leaf background.
Wood
Pair of English Gilt Hanging Corner Wall Brackets
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of English gold gilt hanging corner wall brackets with centered upper crest surmounted by scrolled acanthus, lower carved shell, surrounded by...
Pair Of Venetian Wall Brackets
Located in Kent, Dover
A pair of Venetian wall brackets in hand blown glass, with floral designs. Some losses.
Brass
$1,995 / set
H 11 in W 27 in D 11.5 in
Pair Large Scale Elaborately Carved And Gilt Marble Top Brackets
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An interesting and unusual pair of large angular brackets with center projecting shelf sections with beveled black marble tops. The whole bracket is decorated with bands of grape vin...
Marble
Brass Longevity Mun Shou Curtain Tie Back Hardware, A Pair
Located in Round Top, TX
Fabulous, large cast pair of brass Shou character curtain tie backs. These install easily once the front character element has been unscrewed from the back panel, then screw the char...
Brass
Pair of Antique Italian Figural Chinoiserie Wall Brackets or Shelves
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and remarkable pair of 18th century Italian wall brackets hand carved in walnut in the dramatic likeness of Asian figures with Fu Manchu style mustaches and polychrome and gilt ...
Walnut
Pair of Antique Italian Figural Chinoiserie Wall Brackets or Shelves
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and remarkable pair of 18th century Italian wall brackets hand carved in walnut in the dramatic likeness of Asian figures with Fu Manchu style mustaches and polychrome and gilt ...
Walnut
Pair Of Victorian Carved Oak Wall Brackets
Located in Essex, MA
Each nicely carved figures of an Asian man and woman holding parasols with flat tops. Each surrounded by floral and leaf carving.
Oak
Stunning Pair of Large Red & Gold Chinoiserie Fluted Wall Sconces
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Large decorative pair of chinoiserie fluted wall brackets or sconces in a marvelous shade of red having black figural painting and gold flourishes. The inte...
Wood
Stunning Chinoiserie Black and Gold Pagoda Shaped Hanging Shelf Bracket
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Striking pagoda shaped chinoiserie painted tole and iron hanging wall etagere in black and gold. Two shelves and wonderful silhouette.
Metal, Iron
Carved Chinoiserie Hand Painted Wall Pockets Shelves Brackets
Located in West Hartford, CT
Hand painted vintage pair of chinoiserie wooden wall pockets. Ready to hang with hooks at top, back.
Wood
Pair of Gilt Metal Faux Bamboo Wall Brackets
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of gilt metal faux bamboo wall brackets. Antique mirrored tops. Two back holes for hanging, hanging hardware not included.
Metal