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.
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Furniture
Satin, Down
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Mid-18th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware
Mid-20th Century North American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wicker, Rattan
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
1950s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Silver Leaf
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft, Faience
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Leaf
Early 1900s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Early 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Mahogany
Late 19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Rattan, Mirror, Wood
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft, Faience
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1720s Vietnamese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1960s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Satinwood
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Lacquer
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
1970s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk, Wood, Ceramic
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1980s Russian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Ceramic
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl, Glass, Hardwood
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Composition
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Enamel
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Bamboo, Wicker
Mid-20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1860s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Copper, Enamel
Early 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool





