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.
$785 / item
Two Brass Lotus Candleholders
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Two Mid-Century brass lotus candle holders, both having three layers of leaves holding a candle cup. One lotus presented on a turn classical ...
Brass
Mason's Ironstone Chamber Stick in Chinoiserie Fence pattern, 1818, England
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very rare Ironstone pottery Chamber Stick, made by the Mason's factory at Lane Delph, Staffordshire, England, circa 1818. The chamber stick is circular with a ring handle ...
Ironstone
Chinese Ceramic 'Shiwan' Oil Lamp / Candle Holder, Green Glaze, c. 1900
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This Shiwan ware oil lamp from the early 20th century features a green glaze. Shiwan ware is a style of Chinese pottery from the Shiwanzhen district near G...
Ceramic
Vintage 20th Century Majolica Style Monkey With Woven Basket Pedestal Bowls
Located in Charleston, SC
Vintage Majolica Monkey Pedestal Compote, Chimpanzee with Grapes & Basket Dish, French Country Tropical Decor Bohemian, Table Display Holder. This pair of vintage majolica pottery ...
Majolica
Chinese Ceramic 'Shiwan' Oil Lamp / Candle Holder, Green Glaze, c. 1950
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This Shiwan ware oil lamp from the Mid-20th century features a green glaze. Shiwan ware is a style of Chinese pottery from the Shiwanzhen district near Gua...
Ceramic
Chinese Ceramic 'Shiwan' Oil Lamp / Candle Holder, Green Glaze, c. 1900
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This Shiwan ware oil lamp from the early 20th century features a green glaze. Shiwan ware is a style of Chinese pottery from the Shiwanzhen district near G...
Ceramic
19th Century Asian Cloisonné Incense Burner
Located in Dallas, TX
This 19th Century Asian Cloisonne Incense Burner is a wonderful decorative accent from a bygone era ~ that still works! The process to create...
Bronze, Enamel
$565Sale Price / set|67% Off
H 14 in Dm 10.25 in
A 20th Century Chinese Porcelain Table Lantern (SINGLE ITEM)
Located in San Francisco, CA
THIS IS FOR ONE LANTERN ONLY<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< In the tradition of marriage lanterns. Composed of four parts each. Finely enameled decorated borders with butterflies on a pr...
Enamel
$1,500Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 18 in W 10 in D 7 in
Set of Four Chinese Shiwan Pottery Immortal Deities
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing set of four Chinese Shiwan pottery figures depicting immortal gods or dieties. Beautifully glazed and made on a large scale with fascinating fac...
Pottery
$325 / set
H 12 in Dm 3.5 in
Pair of Japanese Hinamatsuri Gold Lacquered Candleholders with Lotus Bobèches
Located in Yonkers, NY
A pair of Japanese vintage gold lacquered candleholders from the mid 20th century with lotus bobèches from a Hinamatsuri set. Created in Japan during the midcentury period, each of this pair of candleholders features a lotus shaped bobèche sitting above a simple shaft resting on a gadrooned base. Showcasing red undertones, this pair of gold lacquered candleholders, taken from a Hinamatsuri set (Hinamatsuri being a festival also called Girls...
Wood
Pair of Chinese Porcelain Foo Dogs
Located in Essex, MA
Each seated on pedestals one stepping on a ball the other clutching a reptilian creature. Painted in the spinach and egg color.
Other
Pewter Chamber Candlesticks by Just Andersen, 1970s, Denmark
Located in Værløse, DK
Modern Pewter Chamber Candlestick made by Just Andersen in the 1970s. * Round pewter candlestick holders with lug * Style: 573048 * Manufacturer: Just Andersen * Year: 1970s * Cond...
Pewter
Mid-20th Century Chinese Woven Reed Basket
Located in Chicago, IL
A mid-20th century Chinese woven reed gathering basket with a bentwood handle attached with simple iron straps.
Reed
Single Brass Lotus Flower Candleholder
Located in St. Louis, MO
Single brass lotus flower candleholder, attributed to Feldman light company. Original patina to brass, has former owners info engraved into bottom ...
Brass
$511
H 10.24 in W 8.67 in D 5.12 in
Pair Vintage 1980-1990 Chinese Shiwan Duck Statues China Porcelain
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Description Lovely shiwan statues of ducks. Dating to the 1980/1990´s Condition 1 duck with some scratches. Size 260 x 220 x 130 mm and 190 x 105 x 90 mm Period 20th cent...
Porcelain
Chinese Emerald Green Shiwan Pottery Teapot, Chinese, Qing Dynasty
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Chinese emerald green shiwan pottery teapot, Chinese, Qing Dynasty, late 19th century. In the shape of a traditional Chinese water carrying bucke...
Pottery
20th Century African Woven Basket
Located in Winnetka, IL
Handwoven African basket made from natural plant fibers, featuring a tightly constructed structure and bold geometric patterning. The surface is composed of dyed reeds in rich tones ...
Natural Fiber
A pair of vintage Italian marble candlesticks, 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
A pair of vintage Italian hand-carved marble candlesticks, 20th century. Marked “Italy” with edition number on verso of each candleholder.
Marble
$938Sale Price|24% Off
H 20.375 in Dm 10.75 in
Large Antique English Morley & Ashworth 'Mason's' Ironstone Pottery Angel Vase
Located in Portland, OR
Rare, antique, large 19th century exhibition ironstone pottery vase by Morley & Ashworth, for the 1862 International Exhibition. Morley & Ashworth had taken over the designs of Mas...
Ironstone
Ceramic Chinoiserie Flame Stitch Candle Stick Holders - A Pair
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A pair of ceramic pastel pink, blue and purple candlestick holders. Each piece is round and created from ceramic. The exterior of each candle holder...
Ceramic, Paint
English Chinoiserie Revival Lacquered Pedestal Drink Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Elegant English lacquered or Japanned pedestal drink table or candle holder made in the chinoiserie revival period of the late 19th century through...
Wood
Green Enamel and Cast Iron Lantern
Located in New York, NY
Green enameled cast iron lantern in a pagoda shape. Six-sided lantern is perched on three feet and has a single door. Late 19th century in the Chino...
Iron
Sold
H 15.5 in Dm 6 in
Pair of 19th Century Patinated and Gilt Bronze Standing Crane-Form Candlesticks
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful pair of French chinoiserie patinated and gilt bronze standing crane-form candlesticks. Each crane is beautifully hand-chiseled with exceptional detail from the feet to th...
Bronze
Single Brass Lotus Candleholder
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Mid-Century brass lotus single flower on a turned stand. Create an exotic mood at your next intimate dinner party. Probably by Feldman.
Pair of Lotus Candleholders or Candlesticks, Plus One
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Create an exotic mood with this group of three Midcentury, brass lotus candleholders that include a pair of candlesticks with prickets elevated by a classical turned stem and base. A...
Vintage Tall Brass Lotus Candlestick
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Exotic, Mid-Century lotus candlestick crafted with brass. The cup will hold a votive or wide candle surrounded by leaves with etched veins sitting on...