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 1900s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1960s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
1890s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wire
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Wicker, Rattan, Cane
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Canvas, Wood
1950s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
1920s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
1830s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Breccia Marble
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Late 18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
1890s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Art Glass
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Silk
1940s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass
21st Century and Contemporary French Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton, Linen
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Enamel
1940s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 1900s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Late 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade
1920s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1960s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Brass, Enamel
1960s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Onyx, Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint, Glass
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk, Wood
1890s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Alabaster, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Canvas
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint





