Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
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.
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Mother-of-Pearl
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Wood
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Ceramic
1890s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Pine, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Brass, Enamel
1980s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Bone, Wood, Lacquer
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Paper
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Rosewood
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Paper
20th Century Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Malachite
20th Century English Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Metal
18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Cherry
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Bronze
1850s Austrian Antique Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Enamel, Silver
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Brass
20th Century British Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Leather
Early 1900s British Antique Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Leather
Late 19th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Wood
1980s French Vintage Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Enamel
1950s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Onyx, Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Wood
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Wood, Lacquer
20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Bronze
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Brass
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Brass
Mid-19th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Brass, Enamel
Late 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Brass
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Wood
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Paper
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Wood, Paint
20th Century Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Wood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Brass
1960s French Vintage Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Gold, Enamel
19th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Metal
1970s French Vintage Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Giltwood
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes
Lacquer