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.
1970s Philippine Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Paint
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
17th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
20th Century British Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1690s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery
Late 20th Century East Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Paint
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Copper
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Stone
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Elm
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1960s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 2000s Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Stainless Steel
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Tin
Early 19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Giltwood, Lacquer, Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
1920s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Paint
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Rock Crystal
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Textile, Silk
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Leather, Wood
1890s British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Cane, Wood
1720s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Late 19th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
1940s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Paint
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Early 1900s Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk, Velvet
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Enamel, Gold Leaf
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1960s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Brass, Enamel
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Mother-of-Pearl
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1970s Philippine Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Rattan
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Faux Bamboo, Rattan
1970s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Rosewood





