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.
$2,560Sale Price|20% Off
1960s George Zee Mid-Century Asian Heavily Hand Carved Flip Top Dry Bar Cabinet
By George Zee
Located in Charleston, SC
A very sophisticated, heavily hand carved Asian style dry bar , liquor cabinet featuring two central front doors, and 4 side doors, two on each side. Open Flip top to reveal an amazi...
Brass
20th Century Hand Painted / Decorated Black Lacquer Dry Bar
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautifully hand painted and decorated black lacquer wood tall high server / dry bar. The server features hand painted chinoiserie scene with twin door top and five pull drawer at th...
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Vintage Chinoiserie Bar or Small Media Cabinet
Located in Locust Valley, NY
A vintage chinoiserie style cabinet that brings warmth, craftsmanship, and subtle glamour to any space. Crafted in richly toned wood, this compact cabinet features hand-applied gilt ...
Wood
$4,417Sale Price|20% Off
Chinoiserie decorated Cocktail cabinet on stand
By Maple & Co.
Located in Dereham, GB
Chinoiserie decorated Cocktail cabinet on carved Silver gilt stand circa 1920s Faded Cream coloured background with colourful Chinoiserie decoration Brass pierced hinges & escutcheo...
Silver Leaf
$2,426Sale Price|25% Off
Mid-Century Asian Hand-Carved Camphor Wood Dry Bar Cabinet
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Wood
1960s Chinoserie Carved Wood Soap Stone Bar Cabinet
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning bar cabinet you could hope to find. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to acquire what is, unequivocally, the best of the best, i...
Soapstone
Chinoiserie Bar Cabinet with Giltwood
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chinoiserie bar cabinet with a giltwood base. The bar cabinet has two glass shelves. It is lit from the top and the light turns off when the doors are shut.
Glass, Giltwood
$6,316Sale Price|20% Off
Rare Red Chinoiserie Coromandel Lacquered Walnut French Dry Bar Liquor Cabinet
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This rare red Chinoiserie Coromandel lacquered walnut French dry bar liquor cabinet is an exceptional piece that exudes Old World sophistication and exotic allure. Handcrafted with m...
Breccia Marble
Vintage Black Lacquered Chinoiserie Dry Bar
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite mid-century dry bar is a masterful example of Chinoiserie artistry, featuring a deep black lacquer finish that serves as a dramatic canvas for its intricate ornamentat...
Wood, Lacquer
$1,222Sale Price|25% Off
Broyhill Vintage Asian Chinoiserie Lighted Dry Bar Cabinet
By Broyhill
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details Below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can usually ship it for less and get it to you faster. Click on "Ask The Seller" and send us your zip code for a quote. Offering one of our recent Palm Beach Estate fine furniture acquisitions of a 3 piece Broyhill Asian chinoiserie lighted dry bar cabinet with display...
Glass, Wood
$2,980
H 43.75 in W 25.75 in D 20.5 in
Vintage French Oak Flip-Top Confiturier, Cabinet, Cupboard or Dry Sink, or Bar
Located in Highwood, IL
Endless possibilities abound in this special French Confiturier, Small Cupboard. Constructed of solid oak with raised panels, a full door hinge, and a wonderful flip open top, give t...
Oak
Burl Wood Bar Cabinet
Located in Westwood, NJ
A classicly inspired modern bar cabinet with an inset marble top and a three-quarter gallery. With a figured burl walnut exterior, curved corners, a shaped apron, brass brass-finishe...
Marble, Metal
$14,493Sale Price|30% Off
H 63.78 in W 45.28 in D 20.48 in
20th Century Italian Lacquered Goat Skin and Mahogany Bar by Aldo Tura
By Aldo Tura
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
An exceptional 20th Century Italian fitted bar cabinet by Aldo Tura. With illuminated interior. The cabinet covered in in lacquered goatskin on a mahogany base. A genuine statement p...
Goatskin, Mahogany
$2,690
H 27.56 in W 34.26 in D 15.36 in
Italian 1960s Art Deco Mid-Century Burl Walnut Mirror Mosaic Dry Bar Cabinet
By Guglielmo Ulrich, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti, Vittorio Dassi, Ico & Luisa Parisi
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern drinks dry bar cabinet with black glass top and beautiful veneer walnut briar burl wood, two doors and great central wooden decor cra...
Brass
$3,295
H 35.5 in W 37.5 in D 18 in
Rosewood Dry Bar Cabinet by M. Hayat & Bros, Brass Inlay, Mid-Century
Located in Southampton, NJ
Midcentury bar cabinet of radiant grain solid Rosewood with intricate brass inlay details throughout. Substantial mirrored top panel & drop forward serving surface open simultaneousl...
Brass
Art Deco dry bar or cabinet – France 1930
Located in Girona, Girona
Art deco Bar or cabinet in solid mahogany with mahogany veneer on the sides and top and mahogany veneer on the door. Black lacquered base and jambs, gilt brass handle and hinges, fr...
Brass
$10,527 / set
H 38.59 in W 23.63 in D 15.75 in
Pair of Maison Jansen Brass Black Lacquered Dry Bar Elements, 1970s
Located in Paris, IDF
Timeless vintage pieces, this pair of mid-century dry bar elements feel imposing and glamourous, with thick, straight lines of brass adorning its exterior of reflective black lacquer...
Brass
Vintage Italian World Globe Dry Bar, 1960s
Located in Miami, FL
This vintage 1960s Italian dry bar is perfect for adding a touch of classic European flair to your home. The globe design is made of wood, giving it an authentic and timeless look. T...
Wood
$2,560Sale Price|20% Off
H 43.75 in W 51.5 in D 18 in
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Drop-Front Dry Bar Cabinet with Shelving
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This mid-century modern walnut dry bar is a beautifully designed piece that blends clean modernist lines with thoughtful functionality. Crafted i...
Aluminum
$2,713Sale Price|20% Off
H 34.26 in W 32.29 in D 16.54 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Rosewood Bar Cabinet for Stildomus Mid Century 1960s
By Stildomus, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Conversano, IT
Stunning bar cabinet from the Torcello series, designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Stildomus in the 1960s - a perfect example of rational and sophisticated Italian design. This collection is known for its masterful use of solid wood, combined with a robust yet refined construction, true to the Scarpas' design philosophy. In this case, the wood is solid rosewood, finely crafted to highlight its natural grain and structural strength. One of the most iconic elements of the Torcello series is the use of exposed aluminum joinery, visible at key junctions between panels. This feature celebrates the precise and refined craftsmanship that defined the work of the Scarpa duo. The clean, geometric lines of this piece allow it to integrate beautifully into elegant, high-end interiors without overwhelming the space. This beautiful bar cabinet features two front doors that open to reveal two sliding compartments with several internal sections, ideal for storing glassware and bottles. This item is in very good vintage condition. Minor signs of age may be present but do not affect its structure or functionality. We kindly ask you to consider these characteristics before purchasing. Dimensions: Height: 87 cm (34.3 in) Width: 82 cm (32.3 in) Depth: 42 cm (16.5 in) Keywords: Afra and Tobia Scarpa - Torcello Collection - Vintage Italian Bar Cabinet...
Rosewood
Art Deco Walnut and Satin Birch Cocktail Cabinet
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
An Art Deco demi-lune cocktail cabinet. Figured walnut veneered throughout with satin birch banding. Lower section opens to reveal extensive bottle storage with an upper mirrored int...
Walnut
$4,561
H 37.01 in W 35.44 in D 18.9 in
Scandinavian Teak Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen Chest Bar Cabinet, 1960s
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Scandinavian midcentury modern design teak credenza cabinet or bar cabinet designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen for Soborg Mobelfabrik with flap door that becomes a writin...
Wood, Teak
Sold
H 42 in W 34 in D 18 in
Vintage J L George Zee Chinese Figural Carved Teak Wood Flip Top Dry Bar Cabinet
By George Zee
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage J. L George Zee Chinese Figural Carved Teak Wood Flip Top Dry Bar Cabinet. It...
Teak
Sold
H 20.75 in W 18.5 in D 18.5 in
Chinoiserie Decorative Octagon Box Bird Cage Design Dry Bar Wine Bottle Storage
Located in Dayton, OH
Chinoiserie storage box in the manner of an antique Chinese wedding box. Features an octagonal shape with bird cage design and lidded top. The box opens to a lower wine / liquor bo...
Wood
Century Furniture Flip Top Chin Hua Server on casters
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a very well made server by the Century Furniture company. The server is made in the chinoiserie style. It's made of burl walnut with Ebonized lacquer accents. It has a n uppe...
Burl, Lacquer
Sold
H 40.5 in W 71.5 in D 18 in
Vintage Chinese Black Lacquer Figural Soapstone Folding Dry Bar Chinoiserie 71"
Located in Dayton, OH
An Impressive Chinese Black lacquer folding bar cabinet, c.1970s Features a black and gold exterior with hand painted garden scenes with soapstone geisha figures. The cabinet doors...
Soapstone
Marble Top Asian Bar Cabinet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This compact console cabinet features an Asian front with brass plate and sculpted wood detailing. Two bi-fold doors open to ample storage with adjustable shelves. Finished with a gr...
Marble
Faux Bamboo Chinoiserie Decorated Bar Cabinet on Stand
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic contemporary faux-bamboo dry bar cabinet mounted to a gilt stand embellished with chinoiserie Asian motifs. The cylindrical top is crafted from wood veneers and features a ...
Brass
Vintage White Furniture Mandarin Lacquered Server
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
This listing is for a Vintage White Furniture Mandarin Lacquered Server. Featuring a straight line chinoiserie style design, two doors that ope...
Brass
Large Chinoiserie Cellarette or Drinks Cabinet on Stand
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large Chinoiserie Cellarette or Drinks Cabinet on Stand This lovely piece is in the style of a Georgian cellarette, it has wonderful lacquer decoration showing an underwater view w...
Lacquer
Hollywood Regency Dry Bar Server Bamboo Chinoiserie
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Beautiful bamboo framed Chinoiserie server with formica slate sliding top. Two open storage areas underneath with pegs for interior shelves. Beautiful yellow with brass detail pops. ...
Brass
Sold
H 32.13 in W 32 in D 14.88 in
1970's Faux Bamboo Chinoiserie Oriental Motif Dry Bar Record Cabinet by Drexel
By James Mont
Located in Chattanooga, TN
The exceedingly charming design features a hand painted Oriental edifice. The facade is further adorned with faux bamboo trim. The Far East and bamboo elements are very on trend. Ope...
Faux Bamboo, Laminate, Wood
Sold
H 43.75 in W 40 in D 18 in
Baker Laura Kirar American Walnut Ebony & Brass Art Deco Style Dansu Bar Cabinet
By Laura Kirar, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Dayton, OH
#40272 The Dansu Bar Cabinet by Laura Kirar for Baker Furniture, #9130 Walnut and ebony veneers and brass hardware dress up this bar, which has a blac...
Brass
Sold
H 41 in W 37 in D 19 in
Chinese Oriental Black Lacquer Mother of Pearl Figurine Decorated Liquor Cabinet
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Chinese Oriental Black Lacquer Mother of Pearl Figurine Decorated Liquor Cabinet MINT. Lots of neat compartments, drop front, lift top li...
Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood