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.
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 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
$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 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
Pair Of 18th Century Italian Figural Angel Wall Brackets
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of 18th Century Italian figural carved Angel wall brackets. Brackets feature charming angel faces under small flat shelf. Giltwood and painted, brackets have a wonderful old pat...
Wood
$1,195 / set
H 16 in W 14.5 in D 15 in
Antique Salvaged Carved Wooden Architectural Wall Brackets, Corbels or Shelves
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This matched pair of antique hand-carved walnut wall brackets were salvaged from an early Victorian house in Montreal, Canada. The brackets are unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Canada in approximately 1850 in the period Victorian style. The brackets are solid walnut in their composition and have ornate decorative carvings. These wall corbels...
Walnut
$475 / set
H 8.5 in W 7.75 in D 3.5 in
Pair of Italian Gilt Wall Shelves Brackets, Florentine Neoclassical
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming Italian Pair of Gold Leaf Painted Wall Shelves. This Florentine style set could certainly stand alone as a pair on a wall or functional to hold treasures on top. Wonderful c...
Gold Leaf
$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
Unavailable|$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
Vintage Italian Gilt Wall Brackets - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Infuse your walls with the sophisticated charm of this exquisite pair of vintage Italian gilt wall brackets. Masterfully crafted in the esteemed Florentine tradition, these ornate co...
Gesso
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
$895 / set
H 8.25 in W 7.25 in D 4 in
Pair Italian Florentine Acanthus Leaves Giltwood Wall Brackets Shelves c. 1950
Located in Pearland, TX
A lovely pair of vintage Italian giltwood and gesso wall brackets or shelves from Florence, Italy, circa 1950. These stylish brackets have a hand carved scrolling acanthus leaf desig...
Giltwood, Gesso
Pair of Italian Rococo Architectural Gilt Wall Shelves Brackets
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Gorgeous Italian Pair of Gold Leaf Wall Shelves. This set could certainly stand alone as a pair on a wall or functional to hold treasures on top. Wonderful classic addition to any li...
Gold Leaf
Pair Of Shell Groto Wall Brackets
Located in Kent, Dover
A pair of English 'Grotto' wall brackets in sand coated wood, encrusted with various seashells.
Shell, Beech
Pair of Blue Velvet Wall Shelves or Brackets
Located in New York, NY
Pair of blue velvet wall shelves or brackets. Handmade and covered in silk-rayon velvet. Measures: 12" x 6" x 9" H each.
Velvet, Wood
Vintage Asian Chinoiserie Folding Bracket
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite vintage folding wall bracket is a stunning example of Chinoiserie artistry, perfect for adding a touch of old-world sophistication to any interior. Hand-decorated with...
Brass
Vintage Asian Chinoiserie Folding Bracket
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This vintage Chinoiserie wall bracket is a masterpiece of decorative art, perfect for adding an element of historical narrative to your home. The black lacquered surface is meticulou...
Brass
Vintage Asian Chinoiserie Folding Bracket
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite vintage folding wall bracket is a larger-scale example of Chinoiserie artistry, designed to bring a sophisticated narrative element to your wall decor. Hand-decorated ...
Wood
Vintage Asian Chinoiserie Folding Bracket
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This elegant vintage Chinoiserie wall bracket is a masterpiece of decorative storytelling, finished in a rich black lacquer with exquisite hand-painted gold and polychrome details. T...
Wood
Vintage Asian Chinoiserie Folding Bracket
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This elegant vintage Chinoiserie wall bracket is a superb example of mid-century decorative artistry, blending traditional Asian motifs with the glamour of Hollywood Regency design. ...
Brass
Vintage Asian Chinoiserie Folding Bracket
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This striking vintage Chinoiserie wall bracket is an exceptional decorative find, perfect for introducing a storied, global aesthetic to your interior. Crafted from wood with a lustr...
Wood
Vintage Asian Chinoiserie Folding Bracket
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite vintage folding wall bracket is a stunning example of Chinoiserie artistry, perfectly capturing the whimsical elegance of traditional Asian design. Hand-painted with i...
Wood, Paint
Vintage Asian Chinoiserie Folding Bracket
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This elegant vintage Chinoiserie wall bracket is a superb example of mid-century decorative artistry, blending traditional Asian motifs with the glamour of Hollywood Regency design. ...
Brass
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