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 20th Century Chinoiserie Chinese Export Famille Rose Garden Stools-Pair
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
A beautifully decorated pair of Chinese export porcelain garden stools featuring a warm ivory ground with intricate famille rose floral motifs and raised enamel bead detailing throug...
Porcelain
Black Column Pedestal Birds Flowers Butterflies
Located in New York, NY
A black ebonized column pedestal stand with birds, flowers and butterflies, in the Chinoiserie design style, circa late-20th century. Column is cylindrical with a wood base and compo...
Composition
Pair of Chinese Painted And Lacquered Chinoiserie Pedestals
Located in Bradenton, FL
Fine pair of early 20th century Chinese Painted and Lacquered Pedestals in colors of green, white, and red on a black background. Pedestals are decorated with traditional Chinese mot...
Wood
$1,600Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Painted Red Chinoiserie Pedestals , a pair
Located in Wichita, KS
Gorgeous and unusual red lacquered vintage pedestals. Wood material Painted with water flowers and birds. Crackling in the lacquer creates patina. To view all of our listings at ...
Wood
Vintage Oriental Chinoiserie Ebonised Hand Painted Pedestal Side End Lamp Table
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this Vintage Oriental Hand-painted Pedestal Side End Lamp Table. A charming oriental hand-painted design. We have lightly restored this by givi...
Walnut
Gilded Japanese-Style Cylindrical Pedestal, Urushi Lacquer Style, 20th Century
Located in Andernach, DE
Mid-century decorative Chinoiserie or Japonesque column, plant stand or display pedestal. Gilded Japanese-style botanical artwork, irises with bulbs and roots, hand painted. Traditio...
Giltwood, Plywood, Lacquer
$2,075
H 40 in W 14 in D 14 in
Vintage Black Marble Column Pedestal with White Veining, Sold Individually
Located in Yonkers, NY
A striking vintage black marble column pedestal with white veining, this piece stands at an impressive 40 inches in height, making it an i...
Marble
$1,853Sale Price|34% Off
H 19.5 in W 12.5 in D 12.5 in
20th Century Chinese Export Porcelain Hexagonal Garden Seat
Located in Savannah, GA
Hexagonal shaped Chinese Nanking Style Export blue and white glazed porcelain garden seat. Features include a pierced top and sides, molded relief dots...
Porcelain
$2,400
H 17 in W 14 in D 14 in
Pair of Blue and White Porcelain Chinese Oriental Drum Garden Seat Pedestal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of blue and white pierced porcelain Chinese drum garden seats. Item features porcelain construction, pierced decoration, white and blue paint glazed decoration, great style form...
Chenille
$1,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 18 in W 14.5 in D 14.5 in
Postmodern Italian Marble Low Pedestal / End Table
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful design simple Italian marble pedestal circa the 1980s, great shape and condition, with beveled corners beautiful color, no chips or cracks coned shape.
Marble
Marbled Pedestal of Black and White Painted Wood, 1930s
Located in Lejre, DK
This marbled pedestal, dating back to the circa 1930s, exudes a timeless charm with its striking black and white painted wood construction. Its...
Wood
Swedish vintage green painted wooden pedestal
Located in Brescia, IT
Elegant green painted wooden pedestal with sleek and refined lines, ideal for plants or decorative objects. Light and essential forms characterize this mid-twentieth-century Swedish...
Wood
20th Century English Pine Column
Located in Houston, TX
The 20th Century English Pine Column is a unique piece characterized by its distinctive features. It stands tall with a black painted round top, creating a striking contrast against ...
Pine
Vintage 19th Century Regency Gilt Painted Pedestal
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elevate your decor with the timeless elegance of this vintage 19th-century Regency gilt-painted pedestal. Exquisitely crafted, it features intricate details and a lustrous gilt finis...
Wood
Lucite and Limestone Column or Pedestal
Located in New York, NY
A late 20th-century pedestal column made of lucite and limestone. The base is made of clear lucite with some scuffing. The top half of the column is ornately and exquisitely carved l...
Lucite
$12,764
H 57.09 in W 19.69 in D 12.21 in
20th Century Louis XVI Style Pedestal after Jean Henri Riesener
By Jean-Henri Riesener
Located in Berlin, DE
Piano black polished veneer on solid pinewood. Sides engraved with wide brass strips. Deck plate with graduated veined marble. Conical body ending in lion's paws, on three sided, ret...
Marble, Brass
Pair of Late 19th c. Carved Painted and Gilded Wood Pedestals
Located in Hudson, NY
Made in the very late 19th or early 20th century, this pair of carved of pine pedestals are tall and thin and painted a deep rich Verde antique bronze color...
Pine
French 20th Century Neoclassical Alabaster Pedestal
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A dazzling early 20th century French hand-carved natural alabaster pedestal, that glitters and glows in the light. The flat top surface elevates sculptural works of art to a safe height, as well as vases or plants. The columnar silhouette is carved with intermittent ribs for a bit of texture against the monochromatic stone. Such a sculptural piece on its own, this pedestal would fit many historic, traditional, and transitional house...
Alabaster
Sold
H 18.2 in W 12 in D 12 in
Late 20th Century Chinese Export Black Famille Rose Porcelain Garden Stools
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
A striking pair of Chinese export porcelain garden stools featuring a rich black ground with vibrant famille rose floral decoration and raised enamel accents throughout. * Classic p...
Porcelain
Vintage Ceramic Elephant Garden Stool Plant Stand
Located in Cookeville, TN
Lovely vintage ceramic elephant plant stand / garden stool smaller in stature. Colorfully painted with blue, green, and orange, on...
Ceramic, Paint
Sold
H 23 in W 10 in D 21 in
Glazed Ceramic Elephant Garden Stool Plant Stand Side Table Plinth Pedestal 23"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage faience glazed ceramic polychrome elephant garden stool, seat or side table. Circa 1960s. Dimensions: 21" x 10" x 23"h
Ceramic
Sold
H 44 in W 15.5 in D 15.5 in
Late 19th Century Chinoiserie Hand-Painted Carved Pedestal Column Candle Stand
Located in Miami, FL
This late 19th Century antique square Fruitwood Pedestal is highly accented with intricate hand carving and hand painting flowers and leaves done in the Anglo-Indian style. The carvi...
Gold Leaf
Sold
H 36.5 in Dm 14 in
Oriental Chinese Carved Rosewood Pedestal, Plant Stand with Granite Top, a Pair
Located in Plainview, NY
A classy pair of hand-carved Rosewood Chinese Oriental plant stands or pedestals. The aprons are embellished with floral design carving and the le...
Rosewood
Sold
H 31 in W 12 in D 12 in
3 Tall Asian Modern Handwoven Wicker Rattan Plant Stand Sculpture Pedestal
Located in Miami, FL
We offer a set of 3 tall Asian Modern handwoven wicker, rattan & bamboo pedestal, plant stand or end table. Great for your Florida sunroom. Size of each table: 12 D x 12 L x 31 in...
Bamboo, Wicker
1960s French Ceramic Celadon and Ochre Elephant
Located in High Point, NC
A ceramic decoration from 1960s France in the shape of an elephant. A saddle seat and blanket are glazed with celadon hues, laced with powder blue and a was...
Ceramic
Bamboo Pedestal Side Table or Plant Stand, Low
Located in New York, NY
A small, low, bamboo pedestal side/drinks table or plant stand, etc., circa 1970s. Table has a 'hexagon' shape, which is a nice alternative to round or square. Tables' top is a 'hone...
Bamboo
Tall Natural Woven Rattan and Bamboo Plant Stand or Side Table
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Every room needs a rattan or bamboo piece. It’s the classic timeless way to add a bit of warmth to any space. This piece is created from bamboo, bentwood and wicker. The top of the s...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan, Bentwood
Pair of Vintage Chinoiserie Decorated Pedestals
Located in Locust Valley, NY
A pair of vintage chinoiserie decorated ebonized rectangular pedestals.
Wood
Sold
H 17 in Dm 18 in L 17 in
Antique Ebony Carved Dragon Pedestal Oriental Plant Stand Figural Lions Asian Fu
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique ebony carved dragon pedestal oriental plant stand figural lions Asian Fu Ebony carved dragon pedestal. Includes 3 meticulously detailed...
Ebony
Vintage Large Elephant Garden Stool Stand Side Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage large elephant garden stool stand side table. For indoor or outdoor use. No chips or breaks.
Plaster