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
Wood
1960s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Brass
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Poplar
1960s British Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Gold Leaf
18th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Resin
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Agate, Soapstone
Late 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Leather, Glass, Lacquer
20th Century European Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Cane, Bentwood
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Paint
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Giltwood, Lacquer
20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Rattan, Wicker, Bamboo
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 17th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Delft, Faience
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Paint
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery
Early 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan, Laminate
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1950s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Teak
1890s American Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Velvet, Wood
Early 1900s French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Velvet, Giltwood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Nickel
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Wood
1970s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
1990s Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood, Lacquer
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass





