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Chinoiserie Picture Frames

CHINOISERIE STYLE

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.

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Style: Chinoiserie
European Pagoda & Phoenix Embroidery Fragment, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This antique embroidery fragment offers a Western interpretation of Chinese art styles and traditions. Densely stitched atop off-white silk, the embroidered scene depicts a tiered pa...
Category

Early 20th Century European Chinoiserie Picture Frames

Materials

Silk

Chinoiserie Enamel Decorated Vermillion Red Wall Mirror 20th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
A Chinoiserie decorated wall mirror offers shaped form with Vermillion red frame having hand enameled foliate and lattice elements encasing a beveled mi...
Category

20th Century Chinoiserie Picture Frames

Materials

Enamel

China Set of Three Silk Hand Painted Rigid Fans 'Pay-Pay', circa 1900
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Set of 3 delicate silk hand painted rigid fans (Pay-Pay) from China with floral and birds decoration. China End of 19th beginning of the 20th century. Some tiny holes in the silk...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Picture Frames

Materials

Silk, Wood

Grand Millennial Chinoiserie Blue Lacquered Faux Bamboo Hanging Photo Frame
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A grand millennial's dream, this faux bamboo picture frame is perfect for displaying a treasured photograph. Hexagonal in shape, this piece ...
Category

20th Century American Chinoiserie Picture Frames

Materials

Plastic, Paint

Pair of Picture Frames Chinoiserie Laquer, 20th Century
Located in Mimizan, FR
Pair of Chinoiserie picture or photograph frames dark red and gold vintage 20th century Lacquer Slightly distressed still solid and full of character corners are sound Very dec...
Category

1970s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Picture Frames

Materials

Lacquer

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Rare Chinese Yun Jian Embroidered Silk Cloud Collar, circa 1880
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Rare Chinese Yun Jian Embroidered Silk Cloud Collar, circa 1880
Rare Chinese Yun Jian Embroidered Silk Cloud Collar, circa 1880
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H 23.63 in W 29.93 in D 0.4 in
19th Century Set of 2 Bavarian Black Forest Ebonised Picture Frames Folk Art
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A beautifully carved set of two Bavarian ebonised picture frames elaborately carved in a charming traditional tree trunk design, held together with a cross-lap joint. Dating from the...
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19th Century Austrian Antique Chinoiserie Picture Frames

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Rattan Photo Frame, Italy, 1970s
Located in Palermo, IT
Rattan photo frame, Italy, 1970s It belonged to my grandparents and is intact. Small signs of aging. Good conditions. The external measurement is 19cm wide x 25cm high. The internal ...
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Rattan Photo Frame, Italy, 1970s
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Tiffany Studios Gilt-Bronze Picture Frame, circa 1900
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
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Pair of Art Nouveau Picture Frames
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of Art Nouveau picture frames. There's a slight difference in coloration as seen in the photos. They measure 9.5" wide, 4" deep and 11.75" high.
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Pair of Art Nouveau Picture Frames
Pair of Art Nouveau Picture Frames
H 11.75 in W 9.5 in D 4 in
Louis XVI Style Carved Giltwood Panel or Overdoor Fragment
Located in Nashville, TN
Rope turned pattern with water and matte gilding .Nicks , chips and minor losses and subsequent touchups. Red bole bleeding through gilding in places.
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19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Picture Frames

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Hand Carved Fruitwood Black Forest Frame Germany, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning Black Forest picture frame. Striking German design from the 1900s. Hand-carved and hand-painted fruitwood frame. This wonderful hand-carved and hand-painted Black Forest ...
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French 19th Century Wall Mirror Gesso Distressed Frame
Located in London, GB
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Chinese Dragon, Framed Silk Textile Embroidery
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Vintage Chinese textile, with a finely detailed nicely dragon embroidery on red silk background. Displayed in a contemporary gold wood fram...
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Silk

Antique Chinese Chinoiserie Silk Embroidered Floral Panel Table Runner
Located in Dayton, OH
Large antique framed Chinese black silk folk art textile / tapestry panel or table runner embroidered with brown, gold and blue flowers / leaves. ...
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Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Picture Frames

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Silk

Pair of Biedermeier Cherrywood Picture Frames
Located in Darmstadt, DE
A pair of Biedermeier picture frames hand polished in cherrywood with band inlays all around. The glasses are present in both frames. We can also build mirrors into the frames for yo...
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Pair of Biedermeier Cherrywood Picture Frames
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H 18.31 in W 22.45 in D 0.99 in
Previously Available Items
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Located in Oklahoma City, OK
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Large Chinoiserie Ebonized & Gilt Decorated Wall Mirror, Circa 1950
Located in Big Flats, NY
A large Chinoiserie wall mirror offers shaped and ebonized frame having gilt central figure of a wise man and allover foliate elements, c1950 Measures - 44.75'' H x 27'' W x 1.5'' D...
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Mid-20th Century European Chinoiserie Picture Frames

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Vintage Antique Large Chinese Asian Carved Jade Floral Bronze Picture Frame
Located in Roslyn, NY
A vintage / antique large Chinese Asian carved jade floral pattern bronze picture frame.
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Chinoiserie Ebonized and Gilt Decorated Parclose Wall Mirror, 20th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
European parclose wall mirror features ebonized chinoiserie decorated frame with gilt foliate and scroll decoration, internal panels frames by brass rods, 20th century. Measures: ...
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Pair of Picture Frames Chinoiserie Black Lacquer and Gold, Late 20th Century
Located in Mimizan, FR
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Large Painting of a Japanese Geisha by Philip Standish Read
By Philip Standish Read
Located in Montreal, QC
Large oil on canvas picturing a Japanese Geisha by Philip Standish Read.
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1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Picture Frames

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Chinoiserie picture frames for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinoiserie picture frames for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage picture frames created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, asian art and furniture, mirrors and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinoiserie picture frames made in a specific country, there are Asia, China, and East Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for picture frames differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $300 and tops out at $1,850 while the average work can sell for $645.

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