Chinoiserie Cabinets
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.
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Cabinets
Glass, Maple, Lacquer
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Cabinets
Glass, Wood
Early 20th Century American Chinoiserie Cabinets
Walnut, Fir
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Cabinets
Wood
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Cabinets
Silk, Wood
Early 20th Century American Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Cabinets
Glass, Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Cabinets
Wood
Late 20th Century Spanish Chinoiserie Cabinets
Wood, Leather, Glass
1990s Chinese Chinoiserie Cabinets
Wood
20th Century American Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Cabinets
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Cabinets
Wood, Giltwood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Cabinets
Metal
Early 1900s British Antique Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
1920s American Vintage Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Cabinets
Jade, Metal
1920s American Vintage Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Cabinets
Wood, Lacquer
1970s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Cabinets
Lacquer
Early 1900s British Antique Chinoiserie Cabinets
Lacquer
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Cabinets
Soapstone
20th Century Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Cabinets
Faux Bamboo, Mahogany
1970s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Cabinets
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Cabinets
Glass, Mahogany
1890s Antique Chinoiserie Cabinets
Lacquer
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
2010s Asian Chinoiserie Cabinets
Wood, Walnut
Late 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Cabinets
Wood
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Cabinets
Wood, Lacquer
Late 18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Cabinets
Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Cabinets
Hardwood
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
1920s European Vintage Chinoiserie Cabinets
Bronze
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Cabinets
Wood, Glass
Mid-20th Century English Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Cabinets
Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Cabinets
Metal
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Cabinets
Mahogany
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Cabinets
Wire
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Cabinets
Marble
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
1960s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Cabinets
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Cabinets
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Cabinets
Wood
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Cabinets
Glass, Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Cabinets
Metal
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Cabinets
Brass