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.
Old English Silver Chinoiserie Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Old English sheffield silver plate tableware/barware centerpiece bowl . The centerpiece bowl features eight different exterior chinoiserie scene design details resting on a proportio...
Silver Plate
Pair of 20th C French Silvered Bronze and Crystal Centerpieces/Vases/Planters
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of 20th Century French Silvered Bronze and Crystal Centerpieces/Vases/Planters. This pair of vase centerpieces are a stunning example of 20th-century French design, combining...
Crystal, Bronze
Large Decorative Asian Charger
Located in Riverdale, NY
Large Decorative Asian charger from the 1980's made to look like ancient relics. Purely decorative which can be wall hung or used on a table. These oriental scenes are washed with a patina to look old which will not wash off and are not designed for food use. The blue charger has Chinese figures while the lavender and gold charger...
Porcelain
$385Sale Price|30% Off
Antique Chinese Famille Rose Imari Phoenix Pheasant Plate Dish Charger 12"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Chinese Qing Dynasty Famille rose porcelain Imari style plate / dish / charger featuring a hand-painted scene of birds (phoenix or pheasants) perched on blue rockwork / cloud...
Porcelain
Pair of 19th Century French Ormolu Mounted Marble Centerpieces, H. Journet & Cie
By H. Journet & Cie, Edouard Lievre
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of 19th century French Ormolu Mounted Marble Centerpieces, Attributed to E. Lievre, Signed on the Bottom. Each bulbous-bodied centerpiece is set on Chinese-style ormolu bases,...
Marble, Bronze
$1,400Sale Price|20% Off
Chinese Porcelain Multi Color Centerpiece Footed Bowl, China, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Exquisite polychrome hand painted porcelain scalloped footed bowl or centerpiece with strawberry handles, China, 1950s. This eye-catching oval bowl was handcrafted in China circa 195...
Gold Leaf
French Ormolu Mounted Kangxi Period Famille Verte Porcelain Centerpiece
Located in Austin, TX
This gorgeous centerpiece has been created by the fortuitous marriage of a 17th century, Kangxi Period Famille verte enameled porcelain charger...
Bronze
Edmé Samson Porcelain Chinoiserie Centerpiece Jardiniere
By Edmé Samson
Located in Norwood, NJ
Edme Samson et Cie (French, 1845-1969), late 19th century. Large figural Mennecy-style polychrome porcelain chinoiserie jardiniere modeled as two figures holding a basket form decora...
Ceramic, Porcelain
English Sheffield Cut Crystal Acanthus & Berry Epergne, Circa 1830
Located in Charleston, SC
English Sheffield epergne with a centered cut crystal bowl, four scrolled arms with fitted crystal bowls, chased vine & berry motif throughout, and t...
Crystal, Sheffield Plate
$1,975
H 3 in Dm 17 in
Elegant English 19th Century Sheffield Silver Plate Embellished Mirrored Plateau
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful 19th century silver plate plateau has a rich floral embellishment with circular mirror. The beautiful patina adds to the look of this an...
Copper, Silver, Silver Plate
Baccarat Crystal Decorative Centerpiece
By Baccarat
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautifully hand crafted baccarat crystal decorative centerpiece bowl. The piece is in excellent condition. Maker's mark etched underneath. Minor shelves wear. The centerpiece measur...
Crystal
Elkington & Co Victorian Silver Plated Mirror Plateau, Made in 1845
Located in London, London
Carrying old silver plate marks Elkington & Co. in 1845, this attractive, Victorian, Antique Silver Plated Mirror Plateau, features an orna...
Silver Plate
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 17 in W 15 in D 13.5 in
English Silver Plate Epergne Centerpiece Four Trumpets with Basket Base
Located in Miami Beach, FL
This beautiful epergne was made by S.J. Levi & Co. (1901-1938) in Birmingham England at the beginning of the 20th Century. This impressive silver plate piece features 1 large center...
Silver Plate
Large Lalique Crystal Bowl Centerpiece
By René Lalique
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautifully hand crafted Lalique centerpiece decorative bowl in a wide open "V" form shape. The bowl is embellished by engraved frosted doves and large scrolls design details. Maker'...
Crystal
$2,400
H 9.65 in Dm 11.82 in
Late 19th Century Napoleon III Empire Gilt Bronze Putti and Marble Centerpiece
Located in Berlin, DE
Late 19th Century French Empire gilt bronze putti and marble centerpiece The centerpiece stands on a triangular, fluted base with arched feet; on th...
Marble, Bronze
Chinese Celadon Footed Centerpiece, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Chinese Celadon footed centerpiece, 19th century.
$1,925Sale Price|25% Off
H 14.97 in Dm 13.39 in
Large Ormolu-Mounted Cut Crystal Dish in Renaissance Taste
Located in Paris, FR
A 20th century cut crystal and gilt bronze dish in Renaissance taste. The circular cup is decorated with cut-diamond patterns. It is set on a baluster-shaped stem that is embellished...
Crystal, Bronze
$1,495 / set
H 19.75 in W 11.25 in D 11.25 in
Antique Silver Plated Centerpiece or Epergne with Figural Children Playing
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large centerpiece or epergne was made by the well known Wilcox Silver Plate Company of the United States in approximately 1900 and done in a Victorian style. The base is composed of silver plate and features three figural children holding a rope and playing a period circle game. The middle of the centerpiece is composed of a bowl with three partitions that is decorated with engraved stylized flowers. The trumpet vase or epergne at the top is a clear glass with a diamond cut pattern. The base is clearly signed with the maker's marks for the Wilcox Silver Company...
Silver Plate
English Sheffield Silver-Plated Footed Mirror Plateau
Located in New Orleans, LA
English Sheffield silver-plated footed mirror plateau.
Sheffield Plate
XL Footed Resin Bowl Centerpiece in White and Pearl by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
An elegant XL round bowl that is supported by four half spheres that make a fun, bold and unique piece great for holding fruit, plants and specially everyone's attention. You can hav...
Resin
Sold
H 10.04 in W 16.93 in D 10.04 in
A 19th Century French Ormolu-Mounted Celadon Porcelain Centerpiece
By Minton
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A circular French 19th century ormolu-mounted and polychromed porcelain centerpiece. Designed and inspired in the Chinese taste with birds, butterflies, foliages and flowers on a bl...
Ormolu
Wonderful Royal Crown Derby Traditional Imari Urn Centerpiece Lid Handles
By Royal Crown Derby Porcelain
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Royal Crown Derby Traditional Imari Urn / Centerpiece With Lid And Having Handles
Porcelain
Antique French Chinoiserie Papier Mache Tray
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous antique 19th-Century French Chinoiserie red hand painted papier mache scalloped tray or bowl. This is the perfect addition to your decor and would look fabulous displayed ...
Paper
Antique Oversized Copper Mixing Bowl Planter Cauldron Centerpiece
Located in Dayton, OH
Large antique copper centerpiece bowl. Measure: 31".
Copper
Sold
H 4.25 in W 12 in D 9 in
From the Collection of Mario Buatta a Blue and White Staffordshire Fruit Stand
By Spode
Located in Katonah, NY
Provenance: The Private Collection of Mario Buatta We purchased this fruit stand from the estate of Mario Buatta. Mario loved intense blue and white. Made by Spode circa 1820 thi...
Earthenware
19th Century Carved Wood Lotus Bowl
Located in Chicago, IL
A beautiful late 19th century American pine bowl carved of one piece of wood and with a stylized lotus form. Based on the finish of the wood and the screw holes on the underside, we ...
Pine
Sold
H 8.27 in W 15.36 in D 11.42 in
French 19th Century Ormolu-Mounted and Porcelain Centerpiece and Vide-Poches
By Minton
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A circular French 19th century ormolu-mounted and polychromed porcelain centerpiece. Designed and inspired in the Chinese taste with birds, butterflies, foliages and flowers on a bl...
Ormolu
Sold
H 6.3 in W 5.12 in D 1.97 in
19th Century French Solid Silver Chinoiserie Ewers, Veyrat, Paris, circa 1830
By Jean Francois Veyrat
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique early 19th century French exquisite and rare solid silver set of three dessert wine ewers in chinoiserie style, of Chinese inspired flask vase shape, standing on a spread-ova...
Silver
English Porcelain Imari Pattern Tureen with Underplate, Vibrantly Painted
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive sized serving piece that will double as a centrepiece. Fine and strong English bone china with nice detail to the painting. Please note this piece also comes with a porcelain soup ladle...
Gold, Enamel
Sold
H 9.85 in W 15.36 in D 1.19 in
Cloisonné Enameled Dish with Lotus Flowers and Interlacing, China, 1930
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Cloisonné enameled dish with lotus tracery decoration, China, 1930 Measures: W: 39cm, H: 25cm, W: 3cm.
Enamel
Sold
H 29.93 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
19th Century Ormolu-Mounted and 18th Century Chinese Porcelain Centrepiece
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A 19th century ormolu-mounted and 18th century Chinese porcelain three levels centrepiece Surtout de table. Original gilding.
Ormolu
Sold
H 8.75 in W 28.5 in D 10 in
Hand-Wrought Brass Centerpiece Compote Bowl with Cast Details and Dragon Handles
Located in Topeka, KS
Gorgeous monumental brass centerpiece with oval bowl in a footed compote style. It is hand-wrought with cast brass details and dragon handles. In wonderful vintage condition and with...
Brass