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.
1960s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1970s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver Plate, Bronze
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Beech
1870s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Faience, Maiolica
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Hardwood
1930s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Mother-of-Pearl
1930s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
1950s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Early 1900s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Terracotta
1950s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1960s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Metal, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Carrara Marble
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1990s French Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Paint
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble, Ormolu
1950s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Stone
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk, Giltwood
Early 1900s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Velvet, Giltwood, Lacquer
1920s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Griotte Marble, Bronze
1860s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1940s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Gesso, Mirror, Pine, Paint
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Canvas, Silk, Wood, Giltwood
Early 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1960s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu
1970s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Plywood
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu
Late 18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Canvas, Giltwood
Early 1900s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble, Bronze
1960s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu, Bronze
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Faience
1830s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Wrought Iron
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Wood, Paint, Paper
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Early 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu, Bronze
Mid-18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu, Bronze
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Faience
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Stone, Gold
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble, Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Terracotta, Walnut





