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.
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Enamel
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Mid-20th Century East Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Copper, Enamel
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
1850s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Tin
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Pewter
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Tôle
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk, Lacquer
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
1720s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
1880s Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood, Lacquer
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Tin
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Breccia Marble
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Rosewood
1890s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
1950s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Majolica
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Terracotta
1960s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 19th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
1950s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Wicker
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
19th Century Unknown Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Brass
1930s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1930s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Steel, Iron
1970s Spanish Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Copper, Enamel





