Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
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.
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Silk, Hardwood, Paint
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Lacquer
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Jade
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Faux Bamboo
Early 20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Jade
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Paper
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Brass
20th Century European Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Terracotta
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Paper
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Agate, Soapstone
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Lacquer
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Brass
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Crystal
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood, Paint, Paper
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Cast Stone, Metal
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Silk, Giltwood
1950s French Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Stone
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Rosewood
Early 20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Soapstone
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Lacquer
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood, Paint
20th Century Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Stone
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Silk, Hardwood, Paint
1910s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Bone, Hardwood, Boxwood
Late 18th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Iron
20th Century Korean Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Elm
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
1930s Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Brass
1930s Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
20th Century American Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Malachite
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Lacquer
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Silver Plate
1880s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Tibetan Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Metal, Bronze
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Metal, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Gold Leaf
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain





