Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and 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.
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Wood
1940s Tibetan Vintage Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Asian Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Ceramic, Pottery
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Jade, Enamel
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Southeast Asian Antique Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Paper
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
1980s Philippine Vintage Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Cast Stone, Metal
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Jade
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Bamboo
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Porcelain
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Linen
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Bamboo
1970s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Metal
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Bronze
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Silk
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Wood, Paint
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Bronze
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Wood, Paint
20th Century Indonesian Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Wood, Paint
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Stone, Jade, Soapstone, Tin
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Copper, Enamel
20th Century American Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Metal
1890s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Enamel
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Glass
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Gold
Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Plaster
Early 20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Silver Plate
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Korean Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Indian Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Jade, Bronze
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Parchment Paper, Giltwood, Lacquer
Late 19th Century European Antique Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Wood
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie More Asian Art, Objects and Furniture
Crystal