Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage 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.
20th Century English Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Glass, Giltwood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Walnut, Paint
Late 20th Century English Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Metal
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Silk, Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Hardwood
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wool
Early 20th Century American Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood, Paint
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Hardwood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Mahogany, Walnut
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
20th Century Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood
Early 1900s British Antique Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Lacquer
Late 20th Century Spanish Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood, Leather, Glass
1990s Chinese Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood
18th Century European Antique Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Metal
1870s Antique Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Elm
20th Century American Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
Late 19th Century British Antique Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Giltwood, Lacquer, Paint
Mid-20th Century British Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood, Paint
Early 1900s Antique Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Linen
20th Century American Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
20th Century Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Metal
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass, Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Nickel
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Faux Bamboo, Wood, Lacquer
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Glass
1920s American Vintage Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
Early 1900s British Antique Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
1920s Vintage Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Fruitwood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood
1970s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Lacquer
1970s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Lacquer
1860s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood
1970s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century English Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Hardwood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Glass, Wood, Lacquer
1880s Antique Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Lacquer, Paint, Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
1970s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Lacquer
1920s American Vintage Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Brass
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Wood, Lacquer