Chinoiserie Textiles
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.
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Chinoiserie Textiles
Cotton, Polyester
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Textiles
Wool, Velvet, Cotton, Down
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Textiles
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Textiles
Silk
20th Century American Chinoiserie Textiles
Cotton, Linen
21st Century and Contemporary Chinoiserie Textiles
Velvet
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Textiles
Wool, Cotton, Foam
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Textiles
Wool, Cotton, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Chinoiserie Textiles
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Textiles
Polyester
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Textiles
Linen
2010s British Chinoiserie Textiles
Silk, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Textiles
Cotton, Velvet
2010s British Chinoiserie Textiles
Silk, Velvet
1960s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Textiles
Cotton, Linen
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Textiles
Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary French Chinoiserie Textiles
Cotton, Linen
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Textiles
Wool, Cotton, Foam
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Textiles
Cotton, Foam, Wool
2010s British Chinoiserie Textiles
Thread, Velvet, Textile
Late 19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Textiles
Wool, Cotton, Foam
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Textiles
Wool
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Textiles
Cotton
Late 19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Textiles
Wool, Cotton, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary English Chinoiserie Textiles
Silk, Velvet
2010s German Chinoiserie Textiles
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Textiles
Cotton, Linen
Late 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Textiles
Silk
Late 20th Century French Chinoiserie Textiles
Jade
Late 19th Century American Antique Chinoiserie Textiles
Bronze
2010s American Chinoiserie Textiles
Linen
2010s Asian Chinoiserie Textiles
Silk
2010s Asian Chinoiserie Textiles
Silk
2010s Asian Chinoiserie Textiles
Silk
2010s Asian Chinoiserie Textiles
Silk
2010s Asian Chinoiserie Textiles
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Textiles
Linen
2010s North American Chinoiserie Textiles
Linen
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Textiles
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Textiles
Linen
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Textiles
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Chinoiserie Textiles
Cotton, Polyester
21st Century and Contemporary German Chinoiserie Textiles
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Textiles
Linen
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Chinoiserie Textiles
Cotton, Polyester
21st Century and Contemporary North American Chinoiserie Textiles
Linen
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Chinoiserie Textiles
Cotton, Polyester
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Textiles
Linen
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Textiles
Linen
21st Century and Contemporary British Chinoiserie Textiles
Linen
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Textiles
Linen
21st Century and Contemporary English Chinoiserie Textiles
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Textiles
Linen
21st Century and Contemporary English Chinoiserie Textiles
Silk
2010s German Chinoiserie Textiles
Silk
20th Century Chinoiserie Textiles
Wool, Cotton, Foam