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.
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl, Bamboo, Rattan
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk, Ebony, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Fabric, Wood, Paint
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Elm
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Maple, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Plaster
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Composition
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Pewter
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood
1970s Dutch Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1840s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century Belgian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Resin, Hardwood
Early 2000s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Copper, Pewter
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Reed, Bentwood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1940s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Copper, Enamel, Pewter
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk, Paint
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1980s European Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Earthenware, Delft, Faience
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Reed, Bentwood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Iron
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Willow
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Willow
1960s Dutch Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Pearlware
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Willow