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 Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Travertine
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Faience
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Faience
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Faience
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Faience
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Faience
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Belgian Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Fabric
1960s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
1850s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Tin
Late 20th Century Indian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Plaster
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk, Wood
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
19th Century Asian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wicker, Wood, Rattan
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paper
Early 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1950s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton, Foam, Wool
Mid-20th Century Tibetan Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain, Cork
21st Century and Contemporary French Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton, Linen
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
Early 20th Century European Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Faience, Delft
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
1980s Belgian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Cotton
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
1890s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Walnut, Burl
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 1900s Asian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton, Foam
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton, Foam





