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.
Vintage Black Lacquer Union National Fitted Interior Buffet
Located in Elkton, MD
Vintage black lacquer credenza featuring ornate gold chinoiserie detailing along the doors and trim. This Asian-inspired piece, likely from the 1970s or early 1980s, boasts four cabi...
Wood, Lacquer
Vintage Asian Black Lacquered Credenza
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite vintage Asian black lacquered credenza embodies timeless elegance and sophisticated design. Drawing inspiration from classic Chinoiserie aesthetics, its sleek silhouet...
Wood
A fine 19th century marble top Chinoiserie decorated credenza. Bronze handles
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine and rare 19th century English Chinoiserie credenza. Original marble top with bronze handles.
Marble
$1,199Sale Price|60% Off
Vintage Asian Style Carved Rosewood Credenza/Sideboard with Custom Glass Cover
By George Zee
Located in East Freetown, MA
Asian style rosewood credenza / sideboard with carved longevity design and separate protective glass for the top. Unit has classic Chinese wood joinery and matching wood shelves. In ...
Rosewood
Chinoiserie Server Cabinet With Tooled Leather Top
Located in Elkton, MD
Chinoiserie server cabinet featuring a finely detailed tooled leather top. This decorator piece offers a compact design with dimensions of 32 inches...
Brass
20th-C. Patina Style Hand Painted Marble Top Chinoiserie Sideboard / Credenza
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a hand painted chinoiserie Italian credenza or sideboard with a rich brown marble top that is not attached. The finish is a Palm Beach green with brown glaze. It has quite a ...
Marble
French Style Carved Fruitwood and Chinoiserie Sideboard / Credenza / Desk
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a French style fruitwood credenza or sideboard with a lovely chinoiserie pastoral scene painted throughout all surfaces. It has three felt lined drawer. The feet are optional...
Iron
Habersham Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Credenza Buffet Media Entertainment Cabinet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Habersham Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Long Credenza Buffet Media Entertainment ...
Wood
Mid 20th Century Asian Style Apothecary Cabinet With Brass Details
Located in Elkton, MD
Asian-style apothecary console, brass accented curved edge top, and faux bamboo side columns.
Brass
Late 19th Century Antique Chinese Qing-Style Elm Wood Carved Cabinet
Located in Elkton, MD
A Chinese Qing-style carved cabinet with a rectangular top, featuring two drawers beneath. Originating from the esteemed restaurant and private collections of Margaret and Warren Kuo.
Elm
Vintage Asian Medallion Reclaimed Wood Long Credenza
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This monumental reclaimed wood credenza is a breathtaking example of Asian-inspired craftsmanship and weathered elegance. Measuring over nine feet in length, this substantial sideboa...
Brass
$876Sale Price|20% Off
Chinoiserie Elm High Point Altar/Chest/Sideboard
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Experience the fusion of tradition and versatility with the Chinoiserie Elm High Point Altar Chest Sideboard. Crafted from durable elm wood and adorned with intricate Chinoiserie art...
Brass
Vintage William Doezema for Mastercraft Burl Wood Medallion Credenza
By William Doezema, Mastercraft
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This monumental credenza, designed by William Doezema for the esteemed Mastercraft of Grand Rapids, is a masterful expression of Hollywood Regency glamour blended with Chinoiserie el...
Brass
$4,640Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Wood Chinoiserie Fretwork Fret Mirrored Credenza Buffet Sideboard Doors
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Beautiful vintage wood credenza, buffet, sideboard with mirrored doors and fretwork. Each pair of doors open to reveal one adjustable shelf on ea...
Mirror, Wood
Vintage William Doezema for Mastercraft Burl Wood Medallion Credenza
By William Doezema, Mastercraft
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Designed by William Doezema for Mastercraft of Grand Rapids, this monumental credenza is a striking embodiment of Hollywood Regency glamour infused with refined Chinoiserie influence...
Brass
Vintage Henredon Pine Credenza
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Enhance your interior with this masterful Henredon credenza, a perfect marriage of rustic warmth and sophisticated Chinoiserie detail. Crafted from solid knotty pine by one of Americ...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Chinoiserie Credenza or Sideboard
Located in Dallas, TX
This stunning exceptionally sized sleek credenza or sideboard, channeling old Hollywood with a touch of the orient. Made of solid wood, featuring a cust...
Brass
$2,654Sale Price|35% Off
H 96.86 in W 46.86 in D 21.26 in
Antique Yellow Lacquered Wood Buffet with Glass Shelves, Italy, 1850
Located in Brescia, IT
Italy Mid-19th Century yellow lacquered wood and glass shelves cupboard in farmhouse style This cheerful yellow wood lacquered buffet is composed by two parts: the Mid-19th Century pine wood buffet, that it was hand-lacquered in yellow color recently, and by the contemporary production metal support in chrome finish. The metal structure of the shelves need to be fixed directly to the wall. The yellow back lacquered glass shelves are a contemporary production. The wood shelve...
Metal
$6,800
H 34 in W 84 in D 22 in
Barbara Barry for Baker Modern Fluted Black Lacquered Sideboard Credenza
By Baker Furniture Company, Barbara Barry
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A Barbara Barry for Baker fluted sideboard credenza. This lovely modern cabinet features a wonderful fluted exterior design. The fluted design combine...
Wood
Chinoiserie Breakfront China Cabinet Bookcase Union National
Located in Bradenton, FL
Large Scale Union National Chinoiserie Breakfront China Cabinet Bookcase. Hand-painted and signed by artist. Union National was a prestigious high-end furniture company in Jamestown,...
Brass
$7,600 / item
H 37.41 in W 31.5 in D 14.18 in
Scandinavian Cabinet, Shingles, Pine Wood, limestone Top, wooden top
By Lukas Dahlén
Located in Visby, SE
Spåna S80-G Cleaved shingles of pine is a traditional technique for roofing. Especially selected logs are split into four parts, cleaved into 6mm thin shavings and then placed so tha...
Pine
$12,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 33 in W 84.5 in D 20.25 in
Modern Black Lacquered Sideboard Credenza with Faux Parchment Fronts
Located in North York, ON
Modern black Lacquered sideboard credenza with Faux Parchment fronts. Featuring unique shaped design with ample storage options. Completed with a beautiful black lacquered finish and...
Wood
$4,500
H 32.25 in W 40 in D 18 in
Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture Chinoiserie Burled Walnut Bar Cabinet, 1960s
By Michael Taylor, Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional mid-century modern Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie compact credenza, sideboard buffet, or bar cabinet By Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture, "Far East Collection" USA,...
Nickel
$3,300
H 43 in W 71 in D 17 in
Mid Century Danish Rosewood Credenza Sideboard with drawers and Cabinet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Danish Rosewood high Credenza Sideboard with 3 storage drawers and Cabinet with Adjustable shelves. Has 4 felt lined drawers. Made circa 1960s. Very clean inside and out ...
Birch, Rosewood, Pine
74" Vintage Stow Davis Credenza with Leather Top
By Stow Davis
Located in Pasadena, TX
Stow Davis A vintage Stow Davis credenza with a leather top and chrome legs. This large storage unit has six small pencil drawers and three filin...
Steel
$1,325
H 32.75 in W 66 in D 18 in
Antique Spanish Revival Credenza With Tooled Leather Drawer Fronts & Brass Tacks
Located in West Chester, PA
Antique credenza featuring two large drawers with tooled leather fronts and large brass tacks, solid brass hardware, carved apron, splayed wooden legs with turned spindles, and wroug...
Brass, Iron
Vintage lacquered credenza, 1980s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage french beige lacquered wooden credenza with brass hardware consisting of 4 doors and 4 drawers. High quality finish with a finished backpanel so It can serve as a room divid...
Brass
$8,500 / set
H 32.25 in W 40 in D 18 in
Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture Chinoiserie Burled Walnut Bar Cabinets, Pair
By Michael Taylor, Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of mid-century modern Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie compact credenzas, sideboard buffets, or bar cabinets By Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture, "Far East Collec...
Nickel
$2,585Sale Price|20% Off
H 41.74 in W 51.19 in D 17.72 in
French Vintage Oak & Wrought Iron Buffet Neogothic Style Midcentury
Located in Labrit, Landes
French oak sideboard buffet in the neogothic style. From South of France with colunms in the Dudouyt style and geometrical motifs. Goes very well with Spanish style décor...
Oak
Sold
H 32.5 in W 75.5 in D 19 in
Michael Taylor for Baker Walnut Buffet or Credenza With Brass Hardware
By Michael Taylor, Baker Far East Collection
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid-Century buffet designed by Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture. This piece was from the Far East Collection (one of his most popular collections). The case is in walnut and the ...
Brass
Sold
H 30 in W 57 in D 17 in
Vintage Chinese Distressed Lacquer Storage Cabinet Console With Floral Motif
Located in Centennial, CO
A charming vintage Chinese lacquer console cabinet in gorgeous shades of ochre, blue, white, red and green. The painted floral door panels are accented with Chinese writing. Note the...
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Sold
H 36.5 in W 61.5 in D 14 in
Late 19th century Black Lacquered Painted Chinoiserie Credenza/ Server
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Add a touch of Eastern elegance to your space with this stunning antique black lacquered chinoiserie credenza, a true statement piece that blends traditional craftsmanship with intri...
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Rare 4-Door "Chinois Cabinet" 1960s (Signed)
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare and stunning "Chinois Cabinet" with 4 doors, each with a beautiful Chinese scene in patinated and engraved bronze and pewter with vibrant hand-pai...
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
Sold
H 35.25 in W 66.25 in D 20.5 in
Maitland Smith Hand Painted Chinoiserie Commode or Credenza, 1990s
Located in Hamburg, PA
A stately black and gold gilt chinoiserie commode or credenza by Maitland Smith. This cabinet has a faux tessellated tortoise shell top and stylish fluted legs. The sideboard also h...
Wood
Chinese Hand Painted and Carved Black and Gold Credenza
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Experience opulence with this Chinese Hand Painted and Carved Black and Gold Credenza. A luxurious blend of meticulous craftsmanship and rich d...
Brass
Sold
H 30 in W 68 in D 19 in
Drexel Heritage Mahogany Chinoiserie Connoisseur Sideboard Buffet Credenza 68"
By Drexel
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Drexel Heritage Connoisseur sideboard / buffet / credenza / console. Made of mahogany featuring Hollywood Regency / Chinoiserie st...
Mahogany
Sold
H 30 in W 76.5 in D 18.5 in
1970’s Century Furniture Sideboard From Their Chin Hua Collection by Raymond Sob
By Raymond Sabota, Century Furniture
Located in North Canton, OH
Beautiful piece from Century Furniture’s Raymond Sobota Designed Chin Hua Collection. One of the most recognizable pieces of vintage Chinoiserie Furniture...
Lacquer
Chinese Chippendale Black Lacquered and Gold Console Cabinet Credenza
Located in West Hartford, CT
Stunning and iconic mid century Asian inspired entertainment console cabinet credenza featuring Chinese Chippendale design that sits on top of Ming legs. Brass hardware and gold gil...
Wood, Lacquer
Sold
H 63.5 in W 37.25 in D 16.5 in
Antique Chinoiserie & Lacquered Chinese Two-Piece Credenza Cabinet 19thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Chinese credenza offers black lacquered wood construction with double doors over matching base; Chinoiserie decorated with figures;...
Wood
Wooden Faux Bamboo and Wicker TV Stand
Located in Redding, CT
Wooden Faux Bamboo and Wicker TV Stand. Coastal Island style design made of a tropical heavy wood. Four small drawers with metal pulls on either side of the two center doors that ope...
Wicker, Wood
Hand Painted Black Chinoiserie Credenza with Decorations
Located in Astoria, NY
A mid century hand painted black wood chinese chinoiserie credenza with decorations. Made in the 1970s. Credenza has 2 drawers with brass handles and a cabinet on the bottom. Credenz...
Brass