Chinoiserie Armchairs
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.
Late 18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Armchairs
Faux Bamboo, Cane, Paint
Early 1900s Antique Chinoiserie Armchairs
Wood
20th Century British Chinoiserie Armchairs
Faux Bamboo, Cane
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Armchairs
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Chinoiserie Armchairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Armchairs
Steel, Stainless Steel
Early 1900s British Antique Chinoiserie Armchairs
Lacquer
1880s Antique Chinoiserie Armchairs
Padouk
20th Century Chinoiserie Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
1970s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Chinoiserie Armchairs
Softwood
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Armchairs
Fabric, Wood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Armchairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Armchairs
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Armchairs
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Armchairs
Wood
1980s Thai Vintage Chinoiserie Armchairs
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Armchairs
Velvet, Wood
Early 1900s French Antique Chinoiserie Armchairs
Velvet, Giltwood, Lacquer
1960s French Vintage Chinoiserie Armchairs
Fabric, Bamboo
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Armchairs
Fabric, Cherry
20th Century Chinoiserie Armchairs
Faux Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Armchairs
Upholstery, Bamboo, Wicker
1970s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Armchairs
Brass
20th Century American Chinoiserie Armchairs
Brass
1890s Asian Antique Chinoiserie Armchairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century Southeast Asian Chinoiserie Armchairs
Bamboo
20th Century American Chinoiserie Armchairs
Walnut
1970s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Armchairs
Satin, Cotton
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Armchairs
Bamboo
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Armchairs
Fabric, Bamboo
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Armchairs
Wood, Fabric, Faux Bamboo, Cane
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Armchairs
Cotton, Rosewood
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Armchairs
Stone, Brass
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinoiserie Armchairs
Silk, Beech
2010s Asian Chinoiserie Armchairs
Silk, Rattan, Wenge
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Armchairs
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Armchairs
Bamboo, Cane
20th Century American Chinoiserie Armchairs
Late 19th Century South Asian Antique Chinoiserie Armchairs
Fabric, Giltwood, Cane, Lacquer, Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Armchairs
Wood, Upholstery
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Armchairs
Silk, Wood
1930s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Armchairs
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Armchairs
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Armchairs
Fabric, Walnut