Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
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.
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Paint
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Jade, Brass
1970s French Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Silver Plate, Bronze
20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Delft
20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Jade
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Stone, Jade, Brass
Early 20th Century British Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Earthenware
Mid-20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 19th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Metal
Mid-20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1970s Hong Kong Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass, Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass
Early 20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Jade
Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bone, Wood, Lacquer
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Copper, Enamel
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Jade, Onyx
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Jade, Quartz
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Enamel
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Metal
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Lacquer
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze, Enamel
20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Hardwood
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bentwood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Delft
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Resin
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
1890s Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Copper
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ironstone
18th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ormolu
Mid-20th Century Korean Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Bronze
1960s Burmese Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Paint, Paper
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Metal
20th Century Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Tôle
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Porcelain, Wood
1980s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Pottery
18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Objects
Enamel





