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.
19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut, Fir
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1880s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood
1960s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1890s Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Copper
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1970s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Enamel
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 17th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Pewter
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood
Early 20th Century Tibetan Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1960s Burmese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Paint, Paper
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Terracotta
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Mid-20th Century North American Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Faience
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1970s European Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Resin
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Paint
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Paint, Paper
18th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Danish Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze





