Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
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.
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Paper
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Porcelain
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Canvas, Wood, Lacquer, Paint
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Porcelain, Pottery
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Brass
20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Metal, Brass
20th Century French Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Tôle
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Ceramic, Paint
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Copper
21st Century and Contemporary Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Metal
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Pottery
20th Century European Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Iron
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Terracotta
20th Century Spanish Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Stone
Late 20th Century North American Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Bamboo
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Ceramic, Paint
1890s Indian Antique Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Hardwood
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Porcelain
20th Century Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Porcelain
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Ceramic, Paint
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Rattan, Reed, Wood
1950s Vintage Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Reed, Wood, Rattan
1990s Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Porcelain
1950s Vintage Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Bronze
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Ceramic, Paint
1980s Philippine Vintage Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Cast Stone, Metal
20th Century British Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Walnut
20th Century Southeast Asian Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Stone, Marble
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Enamel
20th Century Southeast Asian Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Ceramic, Paint
20th Century Southeast Asian Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Ceramic, Paint
1920s European Vintage Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Indonesian Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Bamboo, Wicker
20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Porcelain
1970s Thai Vintage Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Wood
20th Century Southeast Asian Chinoiserie Building and Garden Elements
Ceramic, Paint