Chinoiserie 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.
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Oak
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Cast Stone, Metal
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Early 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Earthenware, Pottery
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Brass
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Teak
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 2000s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint, Paper
1970s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
20th Century British Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Burl
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Wood
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Taiwanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Lacquer
Early 18th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft, Faience
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Stone
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 1900s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Velvet, Giltwood, Lacquer
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Faience
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
19th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Paper
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood, Burl
1960s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Giltwood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone





