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.
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1950s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal, Iron
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Poplar
Mid-20th Century British Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Rosewood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Burl
1970s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1890s American Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Giltwood
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Cane, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Rattan
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 18th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1950s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Stone
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Granite
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Sheet Metal, Enamel
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century North American Chinoiserie Furniture
Burl
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Velvet, Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Elm
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Burl, Lacquer
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1960s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Cast Stone, Metal
1920s British Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver Leaf
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Austrian Chinoiserie Furniture
Art Glass
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer, Wood, Upholstery, Fabric
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal





