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 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Stone, Jade
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton, Wood
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-17th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bone, Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Stone
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Mid-19th Century Thai Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Teak
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1720s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1910s English Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
2010s German Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Plaster
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Copper, Enamel
1920s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Wood
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Faience, Delft
1930s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1840s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold, Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Pearlware
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Paint
1950s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Crystal, Iron
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk, Paint, Paper
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Pine
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Clay
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Early 1900s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1880s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu
20th Century British Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut





