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.
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Terracotta
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Plywood
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Mahogany, Lacquer
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
Early 19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Stoneware
Mid-20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Rattan
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble, Brass
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1920s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Enamel
Mid-20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Soapstone
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany, Lacquer
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1890s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bone, Wood, Lacquer
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Resin
1950s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Leaf
2010s Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Silk, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Late 19th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Rattan, Hardwood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Tôle
1970s Hong Kong Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Plywood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Wood
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel, Bronze, Ormolu
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1990s Danish Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal





