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 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Enamel
1980s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paper
Early 20th Century German Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Art Glass
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wire
2010s Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metallic Thread
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade, Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Bronze
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Enamel
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Early 1800s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
1820s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1960s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Early 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Textile
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
1870s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Teak
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1930s English Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1970s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Fruitwood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
1980s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain, Pottery
1940s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
1930s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo
1950s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century East Turkestani Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool





