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.
$1,862Sale Price|20% Off
Chinoiserie Lacquered Cabinet & Side Table Faux Bamboo Turned Wood late 19th C
Located in Labrit, Landes
Chinoiserie cupboard lacquered with carved hardstone flowers and birds, circa 1890. It panel is hand-painted with a different scene. This atypical furniture is made of a little cabin...
Glass, Wood
$4,969Sale Price|20% Off
Fine chinoiserie Decorated Fitted 8 Drawer Cabinet on Stand
Located in Dereham, GB
Fine Chinoiserie Decorated fitted 8 drawer Cabinet on stand circa 1900 Three Quarter tray top with shaped back depicting: Interior scene with figures & Foliage, Two doors, with sh...
Lacquer
Berkey & Gay Antique Georgian Chinoiserie Burled Walnut and Painted Bookcase
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Georgian Chinoiserie bookcase, dining cabinet, or bar cabinet By Berkey & Gay USA, 1920s Carved walnut case, with burled walnut drawer front, painted Chinoi...
Brass
$3,880Sale Price|20% Off
Early 20th Century Chinese Cabinet
Located in Copenhagen, K
Beautiful Chinese cabinet in mainly black and red lacquer with red decorations. Contains several shelves and four drawers, all with original brass hardware.
Wood
Black Lacquer & Hand Painted Open Altar Table or Sideboard with Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
This incomparable chinoiserie black lacquer sideboard depicts figures in various typical traditional scenes. What more can you as...
Wood
19th Century Victorian, Crimson Red On Black Chinoiserie Cabinet
Located in Hastings, GB
19th century crimson red on black chinoiserie cabinet Original paintwork The door, decorated with oriental landscapes and figures in gilt, op...
Wood
$10,048Sale Price|20% Off
Cupboard in Chinoiserie style Ebony Wood, Pearl Mosaic, Gold Plated Elements
By Alexander Anisimov, Alexander's Collection
Located in Hong Kong, HK
The Chinoiserie Cupboard stands as the definitive heart of the limited-edition 'Forbidden City' collection by Alexander’s Collection. This piece is a masterful realization of our new...
Shell, Glass, Wood, Ebony
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Armoire Cupboard
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie armoire or cupboard. Fantastic raised and gilded scenes throughout. Open doors to reveal an ebonised interior with two adjustable shelves. Circ...
Wood
18th C Style Chinese Ming Chinoiserie Cabinet by Burton-Ching
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
18th C Style Chinese Ming Chinoiserie Cabinet by Burton-Ching
Wood, Lacquer
Fine Chinoiserie Decorated Bedside Cupboard Circa 1900
Located in Dereham, GB
Fine Chinoiserie decorated 2 door bedside cupboard 2 Door Cupboard Cream in colourChinoiserie Decoration With, Figures , Bird in landscape scene Single drawer beneath, 4 Square legs...
Lacquer
Tete De Négre Chinoiserie Tv and Media Cabinet/Armoire
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing an exquisite Tete De Négre Chinoiserie TV and Media Cabinet/Armoire, a stunning piece of furniture that combines modern functionality with classic style. Hand-crafted fro...
Bronze, Gold Leaf
John Widdicomb Chinoiserie Two-Door Cabinet
Located in Oakwood, GA
John Widdicomb Chinoiserie Two-Door Cabinet, 36.25"H Elegant two-door Chinoiserie-inspired cabinet By the renowned John Widdicomb Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan Mid-to-late 20th c...
Wood
$16,500 / set
19th Century Painted Oak Chinoiserie Cupboards
Located in Solebury, PA
A pair of exquisite 19th-century painted oak Chinoiserie cupboards, each set against a soft green background, exhibit intricate detailing. The central drawer is positioned above a re...
Mirror, Oak, Paint
Black Lacquer Side Table with Svarowski Stones
Located in Berlin, DE
Nice side table with two drawers, on the sides and front ornamented with svarowski stones, crystals.
Beech
Chinoiserie Faux Bamboo and Parquetry Cabinet Cupboard C.1970
By Dixie
Located in London, GB
Chinoiserie faux bamboo and parquetry campaign style cabinet cupboard, Circa 1970. In very good vintage condition commensurate of age. Patination to the brass detailing and small pi...
Brass
18th Century Country French Cabinet
Located in Pomona, CA
A French Provincial cabinet of cupboards and drawers. Doors decorated with floral urns. Bead design around doors and drawers. Brass hardware,...
Oak
18th Century French Country Cabinet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Charming cabinet with two doors and carved diamond shaped decoration. Note the cupid's bow leg shape. Lots of storage!
Wood
$4,375
H 71.26 in W 35.63 in D 15.36 in
19th Catalan Spanish Baroque Carved Walnut Tuscan Two Doors Wardrobe or Cabinet
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Introducing a remarkable 19th-century Catalan Spanish Baroque wardrobe, skillfully hand-carved from solid walnut and featuring Tuscan-inspired ...
Iron
$4,072
H 81.89 in W 41.74 in D 26.58 in
Hand Painted Victorian Distressed Green Dresser Bookcase or Kitchen Cupboard
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very well made hand painted distressed Victorian kitchen cupboard with bookcase top, cupboard base a...
Oak
20th Century Rustic Pine Cabinet
Located in Southampton, NY
20th Century Rustic Pine Cabinet A simply constructed pine cabinet with two doors and a central rail. A grey-ish painted wash gives creates a beautiful patina. Two porcelain knobs a...
Pine
$2,678
H 82.68 in W 41.74 in D 16.34 in
Lovely Antique Victorian Hardwood Hand Painted Cupboard or Library Bookcase
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this very well made solid mahogany hand painted cupboard with library bookcase top A very well made circa 1880 piece of English country house furniture. This can be used as a kitchen pot cupboard or as a library bookcase with cupboard...
Hardwood
$1,895
H 54.5 in W 37 in D 14.75 in
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Hand-Painted Black Lacquer Tall Chest
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
An elegant Chinoiserie tall chest, finely decorated with hand-painted gilt and red scenes across a black lacquer ground. The front features ten drawers, each adorned with intricate l...
Wood
Georgian Pine Housekeepers Cupboard in Original Paint
Located in Kingsbridge, GB
Georgian Pine Housekeepers Cupboard in Original Paint. Rare survivor in totally untouched original condition. Westcountry. Circa. 1800 The cupboard is in totally unrestored origi...
Pine
$1,480Sale Price|20% Off
H 33 in W 41 in D 17 in
Red Lacquer & Scenic Chinoiserie Decorated 3-Drawer Bombay Chest c1920
Located in Big Flats, NY
This Bombay chest features a vibrant red lacquer finish adorned with extensive gilded chinoiserie decoration. The bombe-shaped case is fitted with three drawers, each displaying intr...
Wood
French 19th Century Vernis Martin Cabinet with Ormolu Mounts
Located in London, GB
A Vernis Martin cabinet in the Louis XVI manner Constructed in mahogany, with extensive ormolu mounts; the square rectangular tapering legs, d...
Ormolu
Sold
H 59.06 in W 40.56 in D 20.08 in
Vintage Chinese Bar Cabinet Black Lacquered Wood Soapstone Mother of Pearl
Located in Poperinge, BE
Large vintage Chinese cabinet or bar furniture with 4 doors, made of black lacquered wood, the entire cabinet is extensively decorated with various traditional scenes, hand-painted p...
Soapstone
Sold
H 59.5 in W 36 in D 15 in
Chinoiserie Jacobean Green Lacquered Hand Painted Bookcase or Bar Cabinet, 1920s
By Baker Furniture Company, Berkey & Gay Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Chinoiserie Jacobean style bookcase, dining cabinet, or bar cabinet In the manner of Berkey & Gay USA, Circa 1920s Green lacquered carved walnut, with hand painted Chin...
Brass
Vintage Chinese Hand Painted Butterfly Red & Black Lacquer Cabinet
Located in West Chester, PA
Vintage Chinese red and black lacquer cabinet with hand painted Butterfly detail and brass butterfly hardware. Two full length doors open to reveal cabinet space and two removable sh...
Brass
Black Chinoiserie Lacquer Cupboard Decorated with Birds and Flowers
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Black Chinoiserie Lacquer Cupboard Decorated with Birds and Flowers The cupboard is beautifully decorated with Birds and pink chrysanthemum, it has 2 doors, these have a large lock...
Lacquer
Chinoiserie Decorated 4 door cupboard circa 1900
By Maple & Co.
Located in Dereham, GB
Chinoiserie Decorated 4 door cupboard circa 1900 Cream In colour 4 doors with gilt frames, Working locks with key, open to Reveal: Shelf interior Gilded Line & x pattern detail on f...
Lacquer
Mid Century Chinoiserie Style Decoupage Decorated Faux Bamboo Cabinet
Located in West Hartford, CT
Unique one of a kind chinoiserie style pale yellow cabinet features a floral decoupage design all over with a crackled finish and is accented with faux bamboo trim with a tortoiseshe...
Fabric, Faux Bamboo, Wood
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Hand Painted Cabinet
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century chinoiserie hand painted cabinet, circa 1900. Interesting piece of Swedish made chinoiserie / rococo revival furni...
Pine, Lacquer
Chinese Chinoiserie Cabinet c1860
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
A stunning Chinese Chinoiserie Cabinet from c1860 is an architectural masterpiece. Expertly crafted, the two-door cabinet features intricate metal ...
Hardwood
French Chinoiserie Chest of Drawers Pearl Inlay, 1900s
Located in BUSSUM, NH
Elegant Chinoiserie Chest of drawers with pearl inlay. Around 1900 this Chinoiserie style and furniture from the Orient were highly in Fashion in Paris... So French furniture makers...
Mother-of-Pearl, Fruitwood
Sold
H 82 in W 90 in D 29.5 in
Union National Lacquered Chinoiserie Breakfront China Display Secretary Cabinet
Located in Dayton, OH
"The Union National breakfront was rated as the finest breakfront in the world. In 1980, after flying in the magazines Lear jet to inspect th...
Glass, Hardwood, Lacquer, Paint
Union National Lacquered Chinoiserie Breakfront China Display Cabinet
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Union National breakfront china cabinet featuring black lacquer with a garden motif featuring flowers and architectural columns and g...
Glass, Hardwood, Lacquer
Vintage Asian Bow-Front Cabinet
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Vintage Asian lacquered and gilt cabinet featuring hand-painted trees and birds.
Paint