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.
Worcester Porcelain Decorative Object Print, Gilded, 1910, Unframed
Located in Langweer, NL
Worcester Porcelain Decorative Object Design with Gilding, 1910 This original chromolithograph illustrates a decorative Worcester porcelain object, notable for its elegant proportio...
Paper
Pair of Worcester Porcelain Vase Designs, Apple-Green & Pink Scale Grounds, 1910
Located in Langweer, NL
Pair of Worcester Porcelain Vase Designs, Apple-Green & Pink Scale Grounds, 1910 This elegant pair of original chromolithographs illustrates two contrasting yet harmonious Worcester...
Paper
$2,360Sale Price / set|20% Off
Large Pair 19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Figurative Distressed Painted Panels
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Impressive large pair of antique distressed original Chinoiserie paintings on wood panels having marvelous weathered patina. Frames are celadon green with silver and gold raised deco...
Wood
Worcester Porcelain Dish Design with Turquoise Border, Gold Decor, 1910
Located in Langweer, NL
Worcester Porcelain Dish Design with Turquoise Border, Gold Decor, 1910 This original chromolithograph illustrates a Worcester porcelain dish design distinguished by its refined tur...
Paper
$1,120Sale Price|30% Off
Vintage Lacquered Chinoiserie Painted Hanging Panel Pagoda Village Scene Screen
Located in Dayton, OH
A vibrant late 20th century hand painted and lacquered chinoiserie hanging panel. Features an impressive sprawling village landscape set next to a...
Lacquer, Paint
Bobyrug’s Beautiful Vintage Chinese Art Deco Little Rug
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Exquisite Beijing Chinese rug adorned with a captivating design and vibrant colors. Meticulously hand-knotted with wool velvet on a cotton foundation. The intricate pattern, featurin...
Wool
Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Large Italian Chinoiserie Framed Oil On Canvas
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a Hollywood Regency Era large scale framed chinoiserie oil on canvas. It features both Asian and monkey figures handing and dancing on a hanging floral trellis. It is unsigne...
Canvas, Wood
Original Antique Botanical Print, Lisianthus Princeps, circa 1835
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful botanical print. Lithograph by J & J Parkin and D.Hayes After C.W Harrison Original hand color Published, circa 1835 Unframed.
Paper
Italian Hand Painted Japanese "SATSUMA" Vase Print with Wooden Bamboo Frame
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Extra Large Art Print of a Japanese "SATSUMA" vase. Printed by hand on engraving paper with an antique star press. Completely handcoloured by our skil...
Wood, Paper
Elegant Antique Bamboo Chinoiserie Hanging Shelf Etagere
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A gorgeous refined hanging shelf in black, gold, red and brown having bamboo structure and beautifully painted door and shelves. Single aged bevelled mirror is inset.
Mirror, Bamboo
Bobyrug’s Beautiful Vintage Silk Chinese Embroidery
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Nice mid century large Chinese silk embroidery with beautiful floral design with birds and nice colors, entirely hand embroidered with silk on silk foundation, probably for a cushion...
Silk
Original Antique Print - The Road of Pillars, China, C.1820
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great print of the Road of Pillars, China Copper-plate engraving Published by Thomas Kelly, C.1820 Unframed.
Paper
Large 19th Century English Mason's Ironstone Flowers & Vase Plate
Located in Austin, TX
Large 19th Century English signed Mason's Ironstone Flowers & Vase Plate. 10.2 inches diameter.
Ceramic
Bobyrug’s Nice Little Antique Chinese Rug
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Exquisite late 19th-century Chinese rug featuring a stunning Chinese design, adorned with a captivating blue field color. Meticulously hand-knotted with wool velvet on a cotton found...
Wool, Cotton
$822Sale Price|30% Off
Oriental Figural Camel Bat Tent Decoration Wall Hanging Textile Tapestry 132"
Located in Dayton, OH
Large antique Oriental cross stitch Bayeux style textile / tent decoration or tapestry featuring primitive figures / warriors, camels, birds, bats, antelope / deer and geometric acce...
Textile
Bobyrug’s pretty Vintage Little Chinese Rug
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Beautiful 20th century Chinese pictural rug, entirely hand knotted with wool velvet on cotton foundation. ✨✨✨ "Experience the epitome of luxury and craft...
Wool, Cotton
$556Sale Price|30% Off
Chi Shing, 'River Boats II', Framed Watercolor Painting, China, Mid-20th C
Located in Chatham, ON
CHI SHING - 'River Boats II' - Vintage watercolor landscape painting - vintage gold tone metal frame - finished with double matte boards - signed lower right...
Metal
Set of 6 Small Blue & White Small Plates Dragons Sarreguemines
Located in Austin, TX
Set of 6 small blue & white small plates dragons signed Sarreguemines. Measure: 6 inches diameter.
Ceramic
Beautiful Vintage French Jaquar Woven Chinese Design
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Beautiful Chinese design machine woven tissue with blue and green colors, wool and cotton. Take a look at other Bobyrug items! , search by "Bobyrug" !
Wool
Italian Hand Painted Japanese "SATSUMA" Vase Print with Wooden Bamboo Frame
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Extra Large Art Print of a Japanese "SATSUMA" vase. Printed by hand on engraving paper with an antique star press. Completely hand-coloured by our ski...
Wood, Paper
Vintage Asian Original Embroidered Silk Figurative
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite vintage embroidered silk panel captures the refined artistry of traditional Chinese narrative scenes. Meticulously handcrafted, the composition features four courtly f...
Fabric, Silk, Glass, Wood
Set of Three Chinoiserie Paintings, Watercolors on Silk and Gilded Paper
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
A set of 3 of elegant silk paintings by Swedish house Ennisance, creator of bespoke luxury wallcoverings. Entitled The Orchard in Emerald, Platinum and Gold each piece is handpainted...
Fabric, Silk, Paper
Chinoiserie Eglomise Glass Panel, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
A chinoiserie eglomise and decoupage five part glass panel in gilt frame, English, 19th century. 40 inches wide by 30 inches tall
Glass, Wood
$320Sale Price|46% Off
Postmodern/Chinoiserie Framed and Signed Oil Painting of Lady With Fan
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Incredible Patrick Nagel style vintage postmodern/chinoiserie oil painting. Displayed in a pink frame, subject is a woman with black hair in a...
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Bobyrug’s Wonderful Vintage Chinese Beijing Silk Rug
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of this exquisite mid-century Chinese Beijing rug featuring a stunning Chinese design in vibrant blue, brown, and touches of green on a luxurious beige backgrou...
Silk
Chinoiserie Bright Blue Pink and Yellow Decorative Floral Motif Wall Plate
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A small ceramic decorative chinoiserie plate. Decorated in a bright blue, this plate features chrysanthemums in yellow, red, and pink among lush green leaves. A hanger has been appli...
Ceramic
Two Chinese Silvered Pewter Wall Sculptures w/ Elephants and Fruits, Early XX C.
Located in New York, NY
Two Chinese Framed Wall Silvered Pewter Sculptures with Elephants and Fruits, Early 20th C. SOLD AS A SET 0F 2 BUT CAN BE PURCHASED SEPARATELY Price: $4,500 each...
Pewter
Ceramic Famille Rose Chinoiserie Jar or Urn Lid
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A round ceramic famille rose bottle or urn lid. Although the base of this piece is missing, we love the idea of hanging it on a wall as a decorative chinoiseri...
Ceramic, Paint
19th-C. English Framed Watercolors Room Study Chinoiserie Demilune & Cabinet S/2
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a set of 19th century English watercolors that are framed in green faux marble frames. They are unsigned. The depict chinoiserie furniture, a demilune and a cabinet. Both are...
Wood, Paper
Chinoiserie Style Silk Embroidery After Boucher's Chinese Hunting Scene
By François Boucher, Alexander's Collection
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Chinoiserie Style Silk Embroidery After Boucher's Chinese Hunting Scene Elevate your interior with a masterpiece of textile art. This exquisite hand-embroidered silk tapestry brings ...
Silk
Oil Painting Still Life Collage on Burlap
By Jacques Lamy
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Oil painting and collage on burlap of a blue and white Chinese jar set in a deconstructed reality with an evocative mixture of techniques. ...
Burlap, Paint
Still Life Painting with Chinese Vase and Scroll by Frederick Roberts Johnson
Located in Nantucket, MA
Vintage Still Life Painting with Chinese Vase and Scroll, by Frederick Roberts Johnson (British: 1900 - 1986), circa 1940, an oil on canvas still life painting with an antique Chines...
Canvas
Fine silk hand-embroidery, meticulously recreating François Boucher's Design
By Alexander's Collection, François Boucher
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Fine silk hand-embroidery, meticulously recreating François Boucher's Design This unique, one-of-a-kind tapestry is a masterpiece of fine silk hand-embroidery, meticulously recreatin...
Silk
$22,500 / set
Pair of English Regency Carved Dragon Wall Plaques
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of English Regency style (19th Century) red and gold painted horizontal dragon wall plaques (PRICED AS Pair).
Wood
$2,900 / item
Set of Three Chinese Pith Paintings of Fish
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Set of three rare framed and matted antique Chinese paintings of fish. Painted on pith paper with gouache in bold colors in a scholastic style. Having...
Paper
Still Life Oil Painting on Burlap
By Jacques Lamy
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Oil painting and collage on burlap having a still life composition of two Chinese vases and a deconstructed interior with a warm silent ambiance. Signed Jacques Lamy in the lower right.
Paint
Emperor, Italy, 1950s, Carved Wood
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Ebonized wood panel with the figure of an empress inserted as an inlay. The figure in relief is in resin, sculpted, finished and decorated. The mah...
Bronze
$814Sale Price|53% Off
Emperor, Italy, 1950s, Carved Wood
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Ebonized wood panel with the figure of an emperor inserted as an inlay. The relief figure is in resin, then sculpted, finished and decorated. The 9...
Bronze
Vintage Boho 19th Century Transfers China Prints - Set of 4
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This elegant set of four vintage prints celebrates the timeless beauty of 19th-century blue and white transferware. Each piece features a detailed circular rendering of classic Chino...
Paper