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 Chinese Harwood Chinoiserie Dining Room Set Table 8 Chairs - 9 Pc Set
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinese Harwood Chinoiserie Dining Room Set Table 8 Chairs - 9 Pc Set. Listing includes (1) 24" leaf, (2) armchairs, (6) side ch...
Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood
1960s Chinoiserie Ming Style Oval Extended Dining Table 5 Chairs, Set of 6
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and rare, dining table and wood chairs set you could hope to find. In its original condition. No restoration. Outstanding design...
Wood, Lacquer
Vintage Henredon Black Lacquer and Burl Dining Set
By Henredon
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Chinoiserie-style burl and black lacquer dining set by Henredon of Morganton, NC, USA circa 1980. Oval table is composed of a burl inset surfa...
Burl, Cane, Wood
James Mont Style Chinoiserie Marble Top Low Dining Table and Chairs
By James Mont
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Unusual chinoiserie marble topped dining table and four velvet upholstered chairs. The table has a marble inlay and two leaves. The chairs have been upholstered in a lovely sea foam ...
Marble
Vintage Chinese Ceramic Table Set
Located in Sint-Niklaas, VOV
Absolute marvelous Chinese Ceramic Table Set in very good condition. Set contains 1 table and 4 stools, all in bleu and red dragon figures. 1 stool has a little chip, as you can se...
Ceramic
Mid 20th Century Anglo-Chinese Dining Chairs With Cushions - Set of 6
Located in Elkton, MD
Likely rosewood or hongmu-style hardwood with a deep reddish brown finish and visible grain throughout. Includes two armchairs and four side chairs. Seats retain the original pattern...
Upholstery, Rosewood
1980s Thomasville Chinoiserie Painted Green Hexagonal Wood Dining, Set of 9
By Thomasville
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Transport yourself back to the sleek and sophisticated 1980s dining set. The ultra rare set exudes an air of luxury and refinement. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The lu...
Glass, Wood, Paint
$6,500 / set
Chinese Red Lacquer Lattice Dining Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinese Red Lacquer Lattice Dining Chairs, Italian, circa 1960s. They retain their original Chinese Red color lacquer finish and caned seats. We ...
Wood
Chinoiserie Carved Dining Table with 6 Chairs, Walnut, 1920
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Oriental Style Carved Dining Table and 6 Chairs This table has an exquisitely carved 5” broad border with a snake skin edging around the table top, this carved theme continues on th...
Walnut
1970s Mid Century Dining Room Set of 7
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This 1970s dining set is a striking example of American mid-century design, combining timeless style with thoughtful functionality. The set features a solid wooden dining table with ...
Wood
$2,500 / set
H 33.5 in W 24 in D 22 in
Vintage Salterini Leaf Vine Patio Garden Dining Set Glass Oval Table - 5 Pc Set
By Salterini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Salterini Leaf & Vine Wrought Iron Patio Garden Dining Set - 5 Pc Set. Listing includes (2) armchairs, (2) side chairs, large oval glass top dining table, leaf and vine desig...
Wrought Iron
$6,450 / set
H 32.88 in W 78.75 in D 63.19 in
Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Set with Table, Bench, Set of Chairs
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining room set consisting of a dining table, bench, and pair of chairs, solid beech, Scandinavia, 1980s This expansive dining room set is a rare find, distinguished by its exceptio...
Beech
$32,667Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 37.8 in W 17.33 in D 19.3 in
Extendable Dining Table and Set of 8 Walnut & Leather Chairs by André Sornay
By Andre Sornay
Located in Paris, FR
An exceptional André Sornay dining ensemble from the 1930s: an extendable walnut table paired with eight matching chairs, meticulously restored and reupholstered in soft camel leathe...
Leather, Wood, Walnut
Vintage Chinese Coffee Side Table
Located in Pasadena, TX
Vintage Chinese coffee side table Antique Asian table in a richly grained rosewood with giant arm stretcher supports.
Rosewood
$46,484 / set
H 31.5 in W 141.74 in D 51.19 in
Asnaghi “Eubea” Dining Table and 12 Chair Suite in Harwood, Gilt and Silk
Located in Barrowford, GB
Asnaghi make pieces of furniture that are far more than just that. They create real works-of-art of intrinsic value, Peerless in design and execution, and expected to become heirloom...
Wood
$750Sale Price / set|53% Off
H 35.5 in W 23 in D 19 in
Vintage Wrought Iron Bistro Set with Glass Top Table & 3 Chairs
Located in Freehold, NJ
This vintage bistro set features wrought iron table with round glass top and three chairs. These rich airs feature removable green cushions and met...
Wrought Iron
$2,850
H 18.5 in Dm 40 in
Chinoiserie Marble and Gilt Wood Coffee Table style of James Mont Mid Century
By James Mont
Located in Atlanta, GA
Glamorous Marble and Gilt Wood Coffee Table, in the manner of James Mont, American, circa 1950s. Beautiful white marble top with gray veining. Retains warm original patina.
Marble
$3,500 / set
H 28.5 in W 58 in D 32 in
Six Pc. Mid Century Thaden Jordan Dining Set Table, Leaf and Four Chairs
By Thaden-Jordan Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
Mid Century dining set by the Thaden-Jordon Furniture Company ( Herbert Von Thaden and Donald Lewis Jordan ) circa 1947- 51. Constructed of bent plywood and thin birch veneer, th...
Birch, Plywood
James Mont Signed Coffee Table Greek Key Style Ca' 1950
By James Mont
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A James Mont signed coffee table, with greek key design in black lacquer.
Mahogany
1960s iron Salterini outdoor bistro dining set, table and two chairs
By Maurizio Tempestini, Salterini
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Wrought iron patio Salterini “Radar” Collection bistro set with two hoop dining height chairs and a table. Designed by Maurizio Tempestini...
Wrought Iron
$5,506Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.75 in Dm 41.34 in
Dining Set by Hans Olsen, 4 Chairs, Round Extendable Table, Danish Modern, 1950s
By Hans Olsen
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This great dining set was most probably designed by Hans Olsen in 1952 for Frem Røjle or designed in his style around 1950s, could have been also produced by some other manufacture. ...
Beech, Leather
Sold
H 38.5 in W 17.5 in D 19.5 in
Set of 8 George Zee & Co. Anglo-Chinese Teak Extendable Dining Chairs
Located in Elkton, MD
This set includes eight matching chairs: two armchairs and six side chairs, each with traditional Chinese horseshoe backs and carved longevity medallions on the back slats. The chair...
Upholstery, Teak
Sold
H 29 in W 36 in D 36 in
John Widdicomb Chinoiserie Engraved Game Card Table Dining Table & Chairs Set
Located in West Hartford, CT
Exquisite 5 piece John Widdicomb dining set or game table set - it's good to have choices. Note the rare intricate engraved and painted floral design throughout. Comes with matchin...
Fabric, Textile, Wood
Sold
H 29.5 in W 44 in D 100 in
Vintage Thomasville Embassy Chinoiserie Asian Modern Expanding Dining Table
By Thomasville, Century Furniture, Raymond K. Sobota
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Vintage Thomasville Embassy expanding dining table. The table is 68″ long without leaves, allowing it to host six guests even at it’s most compact ...
Wood, Lacquer
Faux Bamboo Dining Set by Thomasville
By Thomasville
Located in Redding, CT
Faux Bamboo Dining Set by Thomasville. Nice solid wooden set that is very sturdy and timeless. Six solid wooden chairs with clean light blue uph...
Wood
Sold
H 30.5 in W 60 in D 60 in
Chinese Carved Rosewood Dining Set, Round Pedestal Table & Eight Matching Chairs
Located in West Hartford, CT
Magnificent Chinese rosewood carved dining room set which features a hand carved grapes and vines all around the apron and pedestal of the table. It also has a "Lazy Susan" that passes food effortlessly to all diners around this extraordinary table. Both table top and Lazy Susan are covered by removable protective glass. The eight matching chairs...
Textile, Silk, Glass, Rosewood
Sold
H 30.5 in W 60 in D 60 in
Chinese Carved Rosewood Dining Set, Round Pedestal Table & Eight Matching Chairs
Located in West Hartford, CT
Magnificent Chinese rosewood carved dining room set which features a hand carved grapes and vines all around the apron and pedestal of the table. It also has a "Lazy Susan" that passes food effortlessly to all diners around this extraordinary table. Both table top and Lazy Susan are covered by removable protective glass. The eight matching chairs...
Textile, Silk, Glass, Rosewood
Sold
H 30 in W 43.5 in D 31 in
Bamboo Rattan Wicker Cane Table and Chair Set or Dining Set with Glass Top 1970s
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Tigerwood bamboo table chairs cane details conversation set or dining table. The dining set is composed of tiger wood or tortoise wood, bamboo, wic...
Bamboo, Cane, Wood, Zebra Wood
Sold
H 30 in W 71 in D 46 in
Mastercraft Chinoiserie Regency Dining Table, Etched Brass, Bernard Rhône, 1970s
By Bernhard Rohne, Mastercraft
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stunningly gorgeous, ornate acid-etchwork to brass inflated on ebony frame with 1’’ beveled crystal glass top, comes with single 33" leaf, extendable. Designed by Bernard Rhône...
Brass
Sold
H 30 in W 43.5 in D 31 in
Bamboo Rattan Wicker Cane Table and Chair Set or Dining Set with Glass Top 1970s
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Tigerwood bamboo table chairs cane details conversation set or dining table. The dining set is composed of tiger wood or tortoise wood, bamboo, wic...
Bamboo, Cane, Wood, Zebra Wood
Set of Six Black Japanned Chinoiserie Dining Chairs
Located in West Hartford, CT
Elegant black laquered chinoiserie chairs with gilt painted scenery and detail. Set of six matching dining chairs include four side chairs and two armchairs. Handmade by renowned cab...
Wood
Sold
H 30.32 in W 61.03 in D 61.03 in
Traditional Oriental Rosewood Dining Table and Set of Six Chairs, Carved Suite
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a traditional, oriental rosewood dining table and set of six chairs, a carved suite of fine quality crafted in the late 20th century, circa 1980. ...
Rosewood
White Metal Faux Bamboo Outdoor Dining Set
Located in Stamford, CT
White metal faux bamboo dining set. Suitable for indoor or outdoor use. Square table with new clear glass top. Chairs and table are newly ...
Aluminum