Chinoiserie Lanterns
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.
Mid-20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Lanterns
Wood, Paper, Teak
20th Century Chinoiserie Lanterns
Enamel
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Lanterns
Paint
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Lanterns
Mirror
20th Century Chinoiserie Lanterns
Enamel
20th Century French Chinoiserie Lanterns
Iron
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Lanterns
Paint
20th Century Chinoiserie Lanterns
Crystal, Brass
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Lanterns
Metal
1930s French Vintage Chinoiserie Lanterns
Crystal, Bronze
20th Century Chinoiserie Lanterns
Glass
20th Century French Chinoiserie Lanterns
Wicker, Rattan, Cane
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Lanterns
Paint
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Lanterns
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Lanterns
Crystal, Bronze
20th Century Spanish Chinoiserie Lanterns
Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf, Iron
20th Century Chinoiserie Lanterns
Glass
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Lanterns
Wicker, Cane, Rattan
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Lanterns
Bronze
1940s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Lanterns
Brass
2010s American Chinoiserie Lanterns
Brass
1950s French Vintage Chinoiserie Lanterns
Metal
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Lanterns
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Lanterns
Bronze
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Lanterns
Metal
1950s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Lanterns
Wire
20th Century French Chinoiserie Lanterns
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan, Glass, Blown Glass
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Lanterns
Bronze
20th Century Austrian Chinoiserie Lanterns
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Lanterns
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chinoiserie Lanterns
Iron
20th Century American Chinoiserie Lanterns
Brass
20th Century Moroccan Chinoiserie Lanterns
Metal
1930s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Lanterns
Blown Glass
20th Century Spanish Chinoiserie Lanterns
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan, Paper
Early 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Lanterns
Blown Glass
1950s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Lanterns
Brass, Bronze
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Lanterns
Metal
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Lanterns
Paint
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Lanterns
Metal
20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Lanterns
Metal
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Lanterns
Glass
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Lanterns
Bronze
20th Century French Chinoiserie Lanterns
Bronze
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Lanterns
Paint
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Lanterns
Paint
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Lanterns
Enamel
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Lanterns
Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Lanterns
Paper, Wicker, Cane, Bamboo, Rattan