Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
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.
1960s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Delft
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Metal
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Faience, Pottery, Earthenware, Delft
1930s Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Metal
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
1880s European Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Paint
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Willow
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Willow
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Willow
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Willow
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Willow
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Willow
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Willow
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Paint
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Bronze
20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Jade
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Terracotta
1830s English Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Glass, Paint
1840s English Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Glass, Paint
1960s German Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Bone
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Paint
20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Bronze, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
1920s British Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Gold, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
1970s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Metal
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Bronze
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
1870s French Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Faience
Late 19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Brass, Enamel
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
1930s Australian Vintage Chinoiserie Vases and Vessels
Terracotta