Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
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.
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Wood
Early 1900s British Antique Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Lacquer
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Wood
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Canvas, Silk, Wood, Giltwood
1940s American Vintage Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Silver Leaf
1960s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Paper
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Metal, Gold Leaf
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Wood
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Lacquer
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Brass, Metal
1970s Indian Vintage Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Wood, Giltwood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Metal, Brass
20th Century Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Wood
Early 20th Century European Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Paint, Canvas, Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Silk, Hardwood, Paper
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Teak
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Fabric, Wood
2010s American Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Paint, Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer
1950s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Fabric, Wood, Paper
20th Century European Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Wood, Paint
1980s North American Vintage Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Wood, Paint, Paper
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Soapstone
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Lacquer
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Wood
2010s British Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Textile, Thread, Wood, Fur
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Wood
1760s Dutch Antique Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Leather
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Brass
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Lacquer
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Wood
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Wood, Mother-of-Pearl
Mid-19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Wood, Hardwood
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Bamboo, Wood, Paint
20th Century American Chinoiserie Screens and Room Dividers
Paint