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.
$250Sale Price / set|79% Off
Pair Vintage Ted Lacquer Chinese Wall Screen Oanels
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Two vintage Chinese red Lacquer Wall panels . Handpainted and decorated with ibonevappliques of geisha figures.
Wood
Pair Chinoiserie Panels
Located in New York, NY
Pair chinoiserie panels. Pair custom vintage chinoiserie panels in ebonized wood upholstered in acid green velvet with antique gilt carved ...
Velvet, Wood
Chinese Musician Trio Large Fiberglass and Plaster Wall Relief Sculpture Finesse
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Large sculptural Chinoiserie relief wall plaque depicting three elegantly robed female court musicians in flowing traditional dress. Executed in high relief with rich bronze-toned pa...
Fiberglass, Plaster
Chinoiserie Decorative Wall Plates, Ceramic, Early 20th Century, Pair
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous pair of Chinoiserie decorative wall plates with flowers and butterflies. Circa early 20th century. Measures: 10.38"W x 10.38"D x...
Ceramic
Philip & Kelvin Laverne Iconic Pair of "Chinois Plaques", 1960s, 'Signed'
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of "Chinois Plaques", models 101 and 102, in patinated and engraved bronze and pewter with hand-painted enamels by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, American 1960's (signed). The delicately engraved scenes are exquisite. Reference: ALCHEMY: THE ART OF PHILIP AND KELVIN LAVERNE written by Evan Lobel with Kelvin LaVerne, published by Pointed Leaf Press...
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
Rare Pair 18th Century Polychrome Wood Dummy Boards, Chinoiserie
Located in Antwerp, BE
An exceptional and rare pair of antique polychrome carved wooden figures, executed as so-called “dummy boards” or “silent companions,” dating from the late 18th to early 19th century...
Gesso, Wood
Pair of Palladio Painted Chinoiserie Wall Plaques
By Palladio
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout pair of antique chinoiserie carved wood wall plaques with classic form, having carved floral crests, paint decorated with male and female figures against a silver leaf backg...
Hardwood
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne "Ming" Bronze Painting 1960s 'Signed'
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Stunning wall-hanging "Ming" painting in patinated and engraved bronze and pewter with hand-applied enamels by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, American 1960's (etched “P+K LaVerne” on botto...
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
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
$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
$203Sale Price|78% Off
H 13.78 in W 5.91 in D 0.6 in
20th Century Amphora Ceramic Wall Plaque of a Girl with Doll, Labeled
Located in Markington, GB
20th century amphora wall plaque of a girl with doll, we currently have four of the amphora plaques available.
Clay
Neoclassical French Plaster Wall Relief of Dionysus, Circa 1920-1940
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A large vintage rectangular wall relief in French Plaster, from the Parthenon to Neoclassical style, in good condition. Hand crafted bas-relief of the Parthenon temple, on the Athen...
Plaster
$490
H 13 in W 1 in D 22 in
Antique Chinese Hand Carved Lacquered Rosewood Wall Plaque from the 19th Century
Located in Yonkers, NY
A 19th century Chinese carved wall plaque of lacquered rosewood. This plaque features a cloud-shape medallion with various figures within. ...
Rosewood
Laverne Etched Bronze Wall Plaque "Tower of Babel"
Located in North Hollywood, CA
LaVerne etched bronze wall plaque "Tower of Babel" There is a dent on the bottom of left side which is not very noticeable when on the wall.
Bronze, Pewter
Striking Romantic Large Plaster Wall Sculpture of Apollo
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Striking large plaster 3-D wall sculpture of a neoclassical style head, perhaps of Apollo or other God with handsome chiseled physiognamy.
Plaster
Pair of framed antique circular porcelain portrait plaques
Located in London, GB
These two porcelain plaques have been expertly painted to show portraits of a young girl and a young boy, and are set within circular brass frames. The girl wears a light blue coat...
Brass
Three 18th Century Baroque Style Polychrome Cherubs
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of three mid 18th century baroque style polychrome cherubs, each with hooks to the reverse. Ready for hanging on an interior wall as desired. Over 270 years old, these quaint ...
Wood, Paint
Antique 18th Century Carved Lime wood Frieze Panel
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique 19th century carved lime wood frieze panel. This architectural panel displays a scrolling design of foliage with a Neoclassical flair, showcasing a look of elegance and c...
Wood
Relief medallion in plaster
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Relief medallion in plaster by Antonio Canova (1757-1822). The depiction of this relief is 'living from the land'. (It can be hang up)
Plaster
$995
H 60 in W 21.5 in D 3 in
Large Vintage Molded Semi-Nude Neoclassical Styled Female Relief Wall Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This mid-century era molded fiberglass wall sculpture is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in Canada in approximately 1960 in a Neoclassical Revival style. The relief depicts ...
Fiberglass
$1,682Sale Price|44% Off
H 11.82 in W 11.03 in D 9.85 in
18th Century French Gilt Wood Sculptured Wall-Consoles
Located in Sofia, BG
18th century wall suspended consoles from France. Beautifully constructed in gilt wood and ornamented with a Rococo influence. The quality of th...
Giltwood
Stunning Pair of Vintage Pierced and Etched Brass Panels
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Beautiful pair of rectangular vintage etched and cut out brass panels having figural busts, urns and curlicues in an elaborate symmetrical design.
Brass
Sold
H 7.5 in W 7.5 in D 0.88 in
Mid-20th Century Delft Blue and White Floral Decorative Wall Plates, Pair
By Delft
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous pair of Chinoiserie style blue and white ceramic decorative wall plates with flowers. By Delft The Netherlands, Mid-20th century. Measures: 7.5"W x 7.5"D x 0.88"H Exc...
Ceramic
Chinese Emperor on Throne Wall Art Sculpture by Pezzella, 1960s
By James Mont
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Fabulous 4-1/2 foot tall X 3 foot wide wall art sculpture depicting an ancient Chinese Emperor on his throne. Beautifully hand painted in gold and deep...
Metal
Sold
H 68 in W 59 in D 1 in
French Chinoiserie Gracie Inspired Oil On Canvas Screen / Panels / Room Divider
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a lovely 19th century French chinoiserie hand painted folding screen. From wall to room divider, this is beautiful compliment to any space! It is an oil on canvas, and does h...
Canvas, Paint
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Wall-Hanging Inset Chan Wall Sculpture 1960s 'Signed'
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Unique wall-hanging Chan wall sculpture, with center panel inset and framed in an off center raised panel with continuous figural motif, in patinated bronze and pewter with hand-appl...
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter, Gold Leaf
Sold
H 16.93 in W 12.21 in D 2.37 in
Mid 20th Century Oriental Carved Gilt-Wood Wall Sculpture Rooster Chickens
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A very detailed Chinese style bas-relief / low relief representing a rooster, chickens and peony flowers and floral surroundings. It is a wall mounted sculpture with a shallow overall depth. This rectangular bas-relief is hand carved in wood and hand a gold leaf finish. A bas-relief or low relief originates from the Italian “Basso Rilievo...
Giltwood
Chinese Botanical Wall Plates with Flora and Insects, Set of Three
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous set of three Chinese ceramic botanical wall plates featuring flowers and insects China, Late 20th century Measures: 9" W x 9" D x 1.38"...
Porcelain
Philip & Kelvin LaVerne "Kuan Su" Bronze Painting 1960s, 'Signed'
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
"Kuan Su" painting in patinated and engraved bronze and pewter with hand-applied blue enamels by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, American 1960's (signed “P+K LaVerne...
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
Philip & Kelvin Laverne Pair of "Chinois Plaques" 1960s 'Signed'
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of "Chinois Plaques", models 101 and 102, in patinated bronze and pewter with hand-painted colorful enamels by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, American 1960's (signed). These are iconi...
Bronze, Enamel, Pewter
Sold
H 51 in W 16 in D 1.25 in
Signed Mid-Century Asian Modern Brass Sculpture Wall Plaque After Kelvin Laverne
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A brass wall sculpture circa 1960's most likely from Cambodia. Comes signed and with framed. Free continental USA shipping available.
Brass
Pair of Gilded Carved Wood Wall Panels, Circa Early 20th Century
Located in Miami, FL
Early 20th century Chinese gilded carved wood wall panels in very good condition Measures: 40 inches high x 18.5 inches wide x 2 inches deep.
Wood
Vintage Asian Drop Ceiling Panels Hand Painted Embossed, Set of 18
Located in Topeka, KS
Gorgeous set of 18 vintage Asian drop ceiling panels. They are 2 x 2 ft. lauan wood squares, ¼ inch thick. 16 yellow with dragon design and 2 white with dragon and symbol design, hand painted and gilded, in beautiful condition with wear as you would expect with vintage pieces. All panels have varying degrees of wear including nicks, dings, scratches, and chips – we call it patina – they are by no means perfect but are beautiful. Please see photos, Circa, 20th century. Don’t ever let anyone turn your sky into a ceiling…-live life happy…. UNLESS it’s covered in oriental bliss with these awesome vintage Asian drop ceiling panels!!! There are eighteen of these lauan wood drop ceiling squares. Sixteen have a yellowish frame or background and two are off-white. They are all hand painted and gilded, possibly from a pattern or mold, and embossed with bright colors of gold, red, green, and yellow with designs of dragons, oriental symbols, and flowers…they are breathtaking!! And, oh my goodness, the possibilities!!!! Obviously, they would be perfect for a drop ceiling in an oriental restaurant or nail salon...
Wood
Large Pair of Asian Cast Brass Dragons Chasing a Ball Wall Mount
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large wall mount pair of dragons chasing a ball. Dragons chasing a ball is the auspicious scene of good luck, prosperity and wealth. It is believed th...
Brass