Chinoiserie Dining Room 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 Unknown Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Paint, Fabric
20th Century Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Faux Bamboo
20th Century American Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Cane, Oak
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Wood
1950s Vintage Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Rattan
1960s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Bamboo
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Burl
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Brass
Late 20th Century Thai Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Teak
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Rosewood
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Velvet, Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Fabric
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Cotton, Wood
20th Century American Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Metal
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Walnut
Early 1900s Antique Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Wood
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Belgian Black Marble
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan
1950s Vintage Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Lacquer
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Wood
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Wood
1960s Vintage Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Satin, Rosewood, Cotton
Early 19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Paint, Softwood
1980s Thai Vintage Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Rosewood
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Leather
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Dining Room Chairs
Bamboo