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.
Late 19th Century Korean Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Elm
1910s English Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
1930s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper, Ceramic
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk, Paint
2010s Thai Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Wool
1940s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal
Early 1900s Asian Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
1970s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
1960s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Enamel
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Hardwood
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Elm
Late 20th Century Indonesian Chinoiserie Furniture
Pine
1880s English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass, Gold Leaf
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
20th Century Southeast Asian Chinoiserie Furniture
Marble, Stone
Late 19th Century Burmese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Giltwood
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Delft
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Glass, Wood
1990s Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Pottery, Silk
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Paint
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Stone
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Cotton, Wood
20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Lacquer
1890s Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint, Mirror
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Wood
1910s English Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Furniture
Beech
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Tôle
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Ceramic
Late 18th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Metal, Lead
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
2010s Thai Chinoiserie Furniture
Wool, Bamboo
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood, Paint
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture
Jade
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Silk, Paper
19th Century American Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Bamboo, Wicker, Plywood
2010s American Chinoiserie Furniture
Paper
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Furniture
Ironstone
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Furniture
Bronze, Enamel
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood