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.
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
1940s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Early 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Cane, Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper, Grasscloth
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Tin
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
1980s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass
Early 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Terracotta
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Taiwanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade, Bronze
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 17th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Faience
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton, Foam
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
20th Century British Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Mahogany
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Copper
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Late 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Faux Bamboo
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Wood
20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Rattan, Paint
Mid-20th Century Turkish Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton





