Chinoiserie Club Chairs
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 Chinese Chinoiserie Club Chairs
Silk, Ebony, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Club Chairs
Brass
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Club Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
1970s Philippine Vintage Chinoiserie Club Chairs
Upholstery, Rattan
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Club Chairs
Upholstery, Lacquer
Early 2000s American Chinoiserie Club Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
1970s Unknown Vintage Chinoiserie Club Chairs
Satin, Cotton
1970s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Club Chairs
Fabric
1970s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Club Chairs
Fabric, Sapele Wood
Late 20th Century European Chinoiserie Club Chairs
Chrome
1950s Czech Vintage Chinoiserie Club Chairs
Upholstery, Beech
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Club Chairs
Fabric, Rattan, Foam
20th Century Chinoiserie Club Chairs
Chenille
1980s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Club Chairs
Steel
20th Century European Chinoiserie Club Chairs
Leather, Pine
20th Century Dutch Chinoiserie Club Chairs
Leather, Pine
1970s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Club Chairs
Chrome
1990s American Chinoiserie Club Chairs
Upholstery
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Club Chairs
Cotton, Satin
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Club Chairs
Upholstery
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Club Chairs
Damask, Satin
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Club Chairs
Rattan
Late 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Club Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Bamboo
1990s American Chinoiserie Club Chairs
Brass
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinoiserie Club Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Mahogany
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Club Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Club Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Club Chairs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Club Chairs
Linen
20th Century Chinoiserie Club Chairs
Fabric, Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Club Chairs
Brass