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 Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Paint
20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Textile, Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Plaster
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1930s British Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Walnut, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Canvas, Wood
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Cane, Mahogany
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Faience
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Teak
19th Century Unknown Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Brass
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Cane, Rattan, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1940s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Iron
1870s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
1970s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
Late 19th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1930s British Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Brass, Enamel
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Stone
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
Late 20th Century Spanish Chinoiserie Furniture
Giltwood, Paint
20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1930s French Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 1900s Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
19th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
1970s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
2010s German Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Mahogany
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century European Chinoiserie Furniture
Other





