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Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

CHINOISERIE STYLE

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.

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Style: Chinoiserie
Chinoiserie Wall Shelves or Brackets
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of chinoiserie wall shelves or brackets, circa 1950s.
Category

1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Resin

Set of Black and Gold Japanned Hanging Shelves
Located in London, GB
A set of late nineteenth century black japanned and gilded hanging shelves with shaped cresting and spindle side supports. Circa 1880 England Dimensions: 26 W x 7 D x 31 H inch...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Chinoiserie Style Pagoda Form Faux Bamboo Wall Rack, 3 Shelves
Located in Plainview, NY
A late 20th century Chinoiserie style lacquered black wood with gilt highlight wall rack . The wall rack has three shelves and features a Pagoda form and a faux-bamboo design with a ...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Giltwood, Wood

Pair of 19th Century Japanned Corner Hanging Shelves
Located in London, GB
A pair of mid-nineteenth century black japanned hanging shelves, the fret cut frames each with three shaped shelves with gilt decoration throughout. Circa 1860 England Dimensio...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Mid-Century Ornate Reticulated Pierced Dragon Desktop Vanity Altar Shelf Mirror
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique desktop vanity shelf with mirror and beautiful fretwork. Features ornate carvings with dragon motif.  
Category

Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Mirror, Walnut

Olive Green Chinoiserie George III Hanging Corner Cupboard
Located in Houston, TX
Olive green Chinoiserie George III hanging corner cupboard dating to the late 18th century. In excellent condition. Original dark, olive green painted finish embellished with painted...
Category

Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Brass, Gold Leaf

Antique Netsuke Wall Display Cabinet w. Hand Carved Inlaid Bird & Flower Motifs
Located in Lisse, NL
Great quality and very good condition chinoiserie display cabinet. If you like the spiritual and tranquil look and feel of the ancient Chinese style than this incredibly rare and ex...
Category

Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Elegant Antique Bamboo Chinoiserie Hanging Shelf Etagere
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A gorgeous refined hanging shelf in black, gold, red and brown having bamboo structure and beautifully painted door and shelves. Single aged bevelled mirror is inset.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Bamboo, Mirror

Pair of English 1790s George III Gold and Black Chinoiserie Corner Cabinets
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of English corner cabinets from the late 18th century, with chinoiserie motifs. Born in England during the reign of King George III, each of this exquisite pair of corner cabinets features a black and gold décor...
Category

Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Vintage Chinese Chinoiserie Faux Metal Bamboo Mirrored Pagoda Wall Shelf 46"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Chinese Chinoiserie mirrored wall shelf. Made of metal featuring Pagoda / altar form with mirrored back and glass shelf. Dimensio...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Metal

Related Items
Antique Swedish Empire Wall Cabinet 19th Century Walnut Gilt Bronze Hanging
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous & stylish Swedish wall cabinet in Empire style 19th century. with carvings in walnut & gilt bronze decorations Really nice solid wood quality with hand carved decorations. ...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Bronze

Faience Hanging Brackets, Polychrome, 19th C. Ginori
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Charming Pair of 19th Century Italian Faience maiolica tin glaze hanging shelves wall sconces Cantagalli Ginori JT mark 5.5 x 5.5”
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Ceramic

Mid Century Paul Evans Cityscape Floating Shelf or Console Table Chrome & Brass
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An incredible design, a cityscape wall shelf designed by Paul Evans in the 1970's. The set features Fine heavy construction with brass & chrome clad patchwork design. Includes two L ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Brass, Chrome

3 Syrian Mother of Pearl Inlaid Wall Shelves
Located in Dallas, TX
Group of three Syrian mother of pearl inlaid wooden wall shelves. The intricately carved wood of each is inlaid with designs in mother of pearl wit...
Category

20th Century Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Wood

Mid Century Wall Shelf by Krásná Jizba, Czechoslovakia 1960s
Located in Prague 8, CZ
Mid century wooden shelf made by Krásná Jizba company in the former Czechoslovakia in the 1960´s. It´s made of beech wood. In very good Vintage condition, shows signs of age and us...
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Beech

19th Century Swedish Folk Art Hanging Cabinet
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Swedish country folk art hanging cabinet in pine with 4 panel glass door with antique glass.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Folk Art Hanging Cabinet
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Hanging Cabinet
H 25.6 in W 17.72 in D 11.42 in
Mid Century Paul Evans Cityscape Floating Shelf or Console Table Glass & Chrome
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An incredible design, a cityscape wall shelf designed by Paul Evans in the 1970's. The set features fine heavy construction with chrome clad patchwork design. Includes two L shaped w...
Category

1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Chrome

Danish Mid Century Wall Unit with 8 Shelves, circa 1950 - 1960s
Located in New York, NY
Chic architectural wall unit having eight shelves, 5 smaller ( 36 W x 10 D inches ) and 2 wider ( 48 W x 10 D inches ). The shelves rest in metal brackets, which attach to the vertic...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Metal

Midcentury Wall Shelf or Console, Rattan and Bamboo, Franco Albini, Italy, 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Marvellous large rectangular wall shelf in bamboo and rattan. This unique object was made in Italy in the 1960s and is attributed to the mastery of Franco Albini. This lovely item c...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan

19th Century English Regency Carved Mahogany Hanging Shelf
Located in Stamford, CT
19th Century English Regency mahogany hanging shelf with three tiers supported by carved fretwork sides depicting stylized birds. A handsome and...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Oak and Pine Wall Hanging Spice Box
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A charming mid-19th century wall hanging Oak and pine spice box, or cabinet, having Four short drawers over one long drawer Retaining original brass knobs (Through history, spices have been a very sought after commodity for a whole variety of different reasons and therefore regarded as valuable items which deserved a special place to live and be stored within the home. This is a modest and humble example of an antique spice cabinet which has stood the test of time well and is now a really quite charming, as well as useful and functional piece of British history.)
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Oak, Pine

Gold Gilt Metal Wall Shelves Brackets, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A pair of gold gilt metal demi-lune / half-moon wall shelves, circa late-20th to early 21st century. Pair, in demi-lune/half-moon form, are metal with a gold overlay, perforated shelf...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Metal

Previously Available Items
Vintage Chinese Chinoiserie Faux Metal Bamboo Mirrored Pagoda Wall Shelf 46"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Chinese Chinoiserie mirrored wall shelf. Made of metal featuring Pagoda / altar form with mirrored back and glass shelf. Dimensio...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Metal

Late 20th-C. Black and Gold Pagoda Form Chinoiserie Wall Shelves -Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a late 20th century pair of chinoiserie pagoda form wall shelves. They have a single drawer and are black with gilt accents. Shelf depth is 7.75”. Heights from the bottom up ...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Stunning Chinoiserie Black and Gold Pagoda Shaped Hanging Shelf Bracket
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Striking pagoda shaped chinoiserie painted tole and iron hanging wall etagere in black and gold. Two shelves and wonderful silhouette.
Category

1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Iron, Metal

Pair of Chinoiserie Painted Decorative Wall Shelves
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Elegant pair of black and gilt chinoiserie wall shelves. The wood and gesso with hand painted Asian style decoration, Italy, 1950.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Chinoiserie Decorated Breakfront Bookcase Cabinet, Chocolate & Design Decorated
Located in Stamford, CT
Chinoiserie decorated breakfront bookcase cabinet. An almost ebony chocolate background and design decorated Chinoiserie style breakfront o...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Wood

Pair of Chinoiserie Wall Brackets or Sconces
Located in London, GB
A pair of chinoiserie giltwood wall brackets. Continental, circa 1950. Why we like them Wonderfully sculptural, superbly decorative 18th century 'Chinoiserie meets Rococo' desig...
Category

20th Century European Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Michael Taylor for Baker Far East Collection Ebonized Chinoiserie Wall Units
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of chinoiserie wall units or display cabinets from the Far East Collection by Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture. The cabinets feature beautiful walnut wood grain...
Category

1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Wood

Rosewood Room Divider Cabinet Bookshelf, Asian Modern
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Gorgeous Asian modern chinoiserie open two-piece solid rosewood wall unit room divider. Stands on its own and is finished on both sides, so it can act as a room divider. The bottom s...
Category

1970s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Pair of Chinoiserie Shelves by Don Andres
By Don Andres
Located in New York, NY
Pair of small wooden shelves by Don Andres. The shelves are black with hand-painted chinoiserie motifs in hues of rust and orange. Includes the original label on the back. Some wear ...
Category

20th Century Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Chinoiserie Style Red and Gold Tole Cabinet
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Wonderful metal cabinet to hang or sit on a table having a pagoda design with tent like top and zig zag base all painted red and gold with a chinoiserie design. Interior is painted g...
Category

Early 2000s American Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Metal

19th Century Mirrored Chinoiserie Style What Not
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Beautifully carved and gilded Chinoiserie six shelf mirrored wall bracket.
Category

19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

19th Century Chinese Hongmu "Key-Fret" Curio Display Shelf
Located in Washington, DC
Beautiful and exceptionally made shelf, late 19th century Chinese. Piece is heavy and a work of art. Every 90 degree angle is dovetail joined. Could work on top of a cabinet or attac...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Shelves and Wall Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Chinoiserie shelves and wall cabinets for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinoiserie shelves and wall cabinets for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage shelves and wall cabinets created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations, case pieces and storage cabinets, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinoiserie shelves and wall cabinets made in a specific country, there are England, Europe, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for shelves and wall cabinets differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $340 and tops out at $10,800 while the average work can sell for $1,851.

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