Chinoiserie Desks
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 American Chinoiserie Desks
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Desks
Brass, Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Desks
Brass
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Desks
Brass
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Desks
Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Desks
Metal
Early 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Desks
Wood, Paint
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Desks
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Desks
Mirror, Wood
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Desks
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Desks
Mahogany
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Desks
Lacquer
20th Century American Chinoiserie Desks
Wood
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Desks
Mahogany
17th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Desks
Lacquer
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Desks
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Desks
Brass
20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Desks
Bamboo
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Desks
Ash
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Desks
Teak
1970s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Desks
Lacquer
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Desks
Walnut
20th Century Chinoiserie Desks
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Desks
Glass, Wood
1970s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Desks
Grasscloth, Bamboo, Rattan
Late 20th Century Danish Chinoiserie Desks
Teak
19th Century Scottish Antique Chinoiserie Desks
Mahogany
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Desks
Mahogany
1880s English Antique Chinoiserie Desks
Leather, Oak
1970s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Desks
Oak
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Desks
Brass
19th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Desks
Mahogany
20th Century American Chinoiserie Desks
Brass
1970s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Desks
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Desks
Wood, Paint, Lacquer
Early 1900s English Antique Chinoiserie Desks
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Desks
Brass
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Desks
Brass
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Desks
Giltwood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Desks
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Desks
Wood
20th Century British Chinoiserie Desks
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Desks
Aluminum, Steel, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Desks
Bronze
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Desks
Leather, Hardwood, Lacquer