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.
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Copper
Early 1900s American Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Laotian Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper, Plaster, Paint
2010s Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 20th Century British Chinoiserie Furniture
Resin
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Late 19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton, Foam
1950s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Rosewood
1940s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paper
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 18th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Glass
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience, Pottery, Earthenware, Delft
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Softwood
1920s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Raffia
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1950s English Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Glass, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk, Hardwood, Paint
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1990s French Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Paint
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan, Wood, Paint
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Malachite
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paint
1880s European Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Malachite
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Rattan
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paper
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Terracotta
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Teak
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Bentwood
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel, Bronze





