Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
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 Italian Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Enamel
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Wicker, Cane, Rattan
20th Century Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Glass
20th Century French Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Bronze
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Iron
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Enamel
20th Century Spanish Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf, Iron
2010s American Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Rock Crystal
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Paint
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Iron, Tôle
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Paint
1930s French Vintage Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Bronze
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Paint
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal, Brass
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Mirror
20th Century Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Brass
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Bronze
1950s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Iron
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Rock Crystal, Bronze
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Rock Crystal
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Rock Crystal
19th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Tôle
2010s Italian Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Metal
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal
Early 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Bronze
1930s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Metal
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass, Steel
Late 19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Bronze
20th Century French Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Wicker, Rattan, Cane
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Tôle
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Bronze
20th Century French Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Rock Crystal
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Wood
1910s European Vintage Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Iron, Wrought Iron
20th Century Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Rock Crystal
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Enamel, Iron
1970s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal