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.
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Early 2000s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Tôle
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Fabric
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Burl, Cane, Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century European Chinoiserie Furniture
Iron
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Belgian Black Marble
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
1920s English Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
1980s English Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Linen, Upholstery, Wood
1960s Dutch Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ormolu
1970s Dutch Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century Belgian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
2010s Dutch Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Chinoiserie Furniture
Paint
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1990s Philippine Chinoiserie Furniture
Grasscloth, Faux Bamboo, Wood, Leather
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan, Reed, Mirror, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper, Crayon
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
17th Century German Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Paint, Wood
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan
1960s Cambodian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Paint
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Cotton
1960s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain, Giltwood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Pewter
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl, Bamboo, Rattan
Mid-20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
1940s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1940s American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Lacquer
Chinoiserie furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
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