Chinoiserie Tables
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.
1910s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Bamboo
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Tables
Soapstone
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Tables
Porcelain, Glass, Hardwood
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Paint, Bamboo
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Tables
Brass
Early 1900s British Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Mirror, Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Tables
Wood, Paint
1960s American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Bamboo, Rattan
20th Century English Chinoiserie Tables
Bamboo, Seagrass, Paint
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Tables
Brass
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Wood, Bamboo
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Tables
Mahogany, Lacquer, Paint
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Mahogany, Lacquer
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
1990s American Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Mahogany
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Walnut
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Tables
Faux Bamboo, Wood
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Tables
Tôle
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Leather, Bamboo, Wood
Early 20th Century French Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Lacquer
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Granite
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Tables
Leather, Glass, Lacquer
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Tables
Wood, Paint
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Tables
Metal
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Tables
Porcelain
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Tables
Teak
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Brass
1950s American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Leather, Mahogany
1980s American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Burl, Cane, Wood
1970s British Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Faux Bamboo
1960s French Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Tables
Carrara Marble
1980s Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Wood, Lacquer
19th Century Antique Chinoiserie Tables
Lacquer
20th Century North American Chinoiserie Tables
Gold
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Mahogany, Lacquer, Paint
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Tables
Lacquer, Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Tables
Rosewood
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Brass
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
1960s Asian Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Wood, Paint
1970s American Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Grasscloth, Wood
1920s Japanese Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
1960s Italian Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Tables
Wood, Burl
1910s Vintage Chinoiserie Tables
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Tables
Wood