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.
Double Sided Coromandel Chinoiserie Lacquer Five-Panel Screen, Paravent, 1890s
By Jean Dunand
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Exceptional double sided Chinoiserie hand-painted Coromandel screen, with a continuous scene over the panels. One side depicts a scene of the Forbidden City, and the other side shows...
Wood, Hardwood
Vintage Chelsea House Floral Monkey Panel - Set of 3
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This majestic set of three hand-painted panels from Chelsea House exemplifies the timeless allure of Chinoiserie and Singerie design. Each expansive canvas is a masterful display of ...
Canvas, Faux Bamboo, Wood
$8,950 / set
H 10 in W 92.5 in D 1.5 in
Outstanding Set of 3 16th Century Spanish Ceiling Panels, Beams
Located in Round Top, TX
An outstanding and exceptional set of 3 16th century ceiling panels - beams from Barcelona. Hand hewn solid wood panels beautifully painted. Fabulous architectural elements to incorp...
Wood
Chinoiserie Eight Panel Coromandel Folding Screen, Room Divider
Located in Hanover, MA
Chinese export lacquered coromandel folding screen with 8 panels 84” high x 16” wide each x 0.5” thick. Maximum width 128”. Stylized landscape design on both front and back featuring...
Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer
Chinese Qing Four Panel Lacquered Incised Coromandel Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare unusual late 19th century/early 20th-century Chinese Qing four-panel coromandel screen. The front features dark red lacquer decorated with scholars objects and small landscape s...
Brass
Neoclassical Style Lacquered Five Panel Screen Fragment
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Dramatic Asian five panel screen fragment of a larger painted screen. The screen features a lacquered canvas over a wood frame depicting neoclassical style column architecture with f...
Canvas, Wood
$4,800
H 48 in W 45 in D 2 in
Pair of Four-Panel Reversible French Chinoiserie Coromandel Screens Paris, 1920s
Located in Miami, FL
Eight-Panel Reversible Chinese Coromandel Screen Pair of French chinoiserie screens, Paris, 1920s This French chinoiserie screens from the ...
Wood, Mother-of-Pearl
Chinese Export Four Panel Lacquered Coromandel Screen
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Celestial Chinese export coromandel four-panel screen depicting figures in colorful robes in a heavenly landscape among the white clouds. Eac...
Brass
Chinoiserie Coromandel 8-Panel Floor Screen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large chinoiserie 8-panel Coromandel two-sided lacquered wood room divider screen. One scenic side with landscapes, buildings, and figures and boats. Other side painted black with go...
Wood
Set of Nine Antique Victorian Hand-Carved Oak Panels
Located in Suffolk, GB
A fine and complete set of nine matching hand-carved antique oak panels dating from the late Victorian period. Each panel is beautifully worked in solid English oak, carved in deep r...
Oak
Gracie Studio Ming Style Lacquered Eight Panel Coromandel Screen
$3,850Sale Price|30% Off
H 82 in W 96 in D 0.5 in
Six-Panel Double Sided Coromandel Asian Screen on Stand
Located in Germantown, MD
Six-panel double sided Coromandel Asian Screen on stand. Each panel seats in a removable custom wood stand / shoe. Brownish gold color on one side and nature on the other. The subje...
Brass
$5,500
H 84 in W 128 in D 1 in
Chinese Coromandel Black Lacquer 8 Panel Folding Screen Room Divider 128"
Located in Dayton, OH
Impressive mid 20th century Chinese coromandel lacquered eight panel folding screen featuring a grand Palace / Courtyard scene. In this scene, the Emperor sits central, flanked by Ge...
Hardwood, Lacquer
$11,250Sale Price|25% Off
H 108 in W 224 in D 1 in
Chinese Twelve-Panel Red Lacquer Coromandel Screen of Xiwangmu
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Monumental Chinese export twelve-panel red lacquered Coromandel screen of Chinese mythological Daoist character Xiwangmu (Queen mother of the West). Remarkable large scale screen full of vibrant color on incised lacquer...
Brass
Sold
H 48 in W 36 in D 1 in
19th Century Japanned Panelled Ebonised Black Doors with Chinoiserie Decor
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A very old, probably late 19th Century, pair of hand painted Chinese panelled cupboard doors. Each door has a painting of a lady, the left carry...
Gesso