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 Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
1940s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Linen, Thread
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Gesso, Wood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Rosewood
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Brass
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Bamboo
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Other
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-19th Century Thai Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Teak
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Early 1900s Italian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
Mid-19th Century Thai Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Portuguese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Pine, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Sheet Metal, Enamel
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
1690s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Laminate, Cork, Paper
1960s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Bone
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Rattan
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood
Early 1900s Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Cane, Wood
19th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo





