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.
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Rattan
1880s Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Aluminum
1980s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Breccia Marble
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Enamel
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century Belgian Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold, Metallic Thread
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Wood
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
2010s British Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Rosewood
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Faience
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Velvet, Wood
20th Century Southeast Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Early 1900s American Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Wood
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Early 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton, Polyester
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Giltwood
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan, Mirror
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Rattan
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Wood
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk, Giltwood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Lead
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Enamel
1980s Portuguese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood





