Like chinoiserie, which had emerged in Europe in the 17th century, antique Chinese Chippendale furniture was an appropriation of Asian design that often distilled it to stereotypes.
Thomas Chippendale published The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker’s Director in 1754, and the widespread popularity of the book of furniture designs influenced a new style of furniture named for the English cabinetmaker. Artisans in England, the United States and Europe adapted the work illustrated in its pages. The publication of the pattern book included designs reflecting “Gothic, Chinese and Modern Taste,” with illustrations of “Chinese” chairs and cabinets featuring elaborate hand-carved latticework.
Pagoda-shaped flourishes and wood painted in the “japanned” finish that mimicked lacquer were common on these pieces, as were fretwork patterns on chair backs. The back of a chair is the easiest way to distinguish between Gothic, Rococo and Chinese Chippendale chairs, all of which typically feature broad seats and luxurious upholstery. Chippendale’s designs for “Chinese” chairs tend to favor more clean lines and less ornamentation than the other styles, with cutouts in the rails and the fretwork on the back evoking a European ideal of East Asian design.
Dark woods such as walnut and solid mahogany were commonly used, as were bamboo turnings. Cabinets for imported Chinese ceramics frequently were adorned with glazing bars, while small tea tables were detailed with angular fretwork. The style remained popular through the 18th century and into the decades that followed, even inspiring an entire room at Buckingham Palace.
Find antique Chinese Chippendale dining room chairs, side tables, case pieces and other furniture and decor on 1stDibs.
Chinese Chippendale Mahogany Mantel Clock
Located in Queens, NY
English Georgian Chinese Chippendale-style (19th Century) mahogany mantel clock with pagoda top and lattice design trim & column side (signed: Th...
Mahogany
19th Century Chinoiserie Tall Case Clock After Thomas Chippendale
Located in Essex, MA
Late 19th century mahogany chinoiserie tall case clock after Thomas Chippendale. Made around circa 1890-1900 in exacting detail to Thomas C...
Mahogany
$4,969
H 94.89 in W 23.23 in D 8.27 in
19th Century Swedish Ántique Grandfather Clock Tall Case Clock Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Folk Art tall case clock from Luleå Norrbotten, Northern Sweden. Made in wood. Nice details and beautiful carvings. Beautiful handpainted flowers on the front. The M...
Pine
Carriage clock with case. 19th century
Located in Madrid, ES
Travel clock with case. Metal, glass, leather, etc. XIX century. Case with lid at the top and front with a transparent glass sheet, upholstered on the inside, containing a travel cl...
Metal, Other
Victorian Mahogany Cased French Striking Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
Mahogany mantel clock in a break arch case with brass columns to either side, brass inlay to the front and surmounted by four brass finials. Beautifully d...
Mahogany
$7,831
H 59.85 in W 10.24 in D 7.88 in
Chippendale Style Mahogany Grandmother Clock, Late 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th century mahogany Chippendale revival mahogany grandmother clock, having wonderful carved blind fret work deco...
Mahogany
Edwardian Mahogany Inlaid Mantel Clock, Samuel Marti, Paris
By Samuel Marti
Located in Norwich, GB
Edwardian Mahogany Inlaid Mantel Clock Edwardian mantel clock housed in a break arch mahogany case with walnut panels and satinwood line stringing , brass pillars to either side wit...
Mahogany
$4,969
H 87.01 in W 30.71 in D 8.67 in
19th Century Swedish Rococo tall case clock Mora clock Grandfather clock
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century Swedish antique beautiful Mora clock " Tall case clock " Grandfather clock from Boden,Norrbotten Northern Sweden. The Mora clock is original painted. It has a lovely b...
Pine
$67,850Sale Price|20% Off
H 106.5 in W 27.75 in D 15.75 in
French 19th Century Regence Style Ormolu & Kingwood Grandfather Tall Case Clock
By Charles Cressent
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and palatial French 19th century Regence style figural ormolu-mounted kingwood and tulipwood floral marquetry long-case regulator, after a Model by Charles Cressent (Fren...
Bronze
Antique Edwardian Mahogany Desk / Mantel Clock
Located in Ipswich, GB
Antique Edwardian Mahogany Desk / Mantel Clock with string inlay around the edge having a round enamelled Arabic dial and French movement. All clocks get serviced by our horologist ...
Brass
French 19th Century Tall Case Clock
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This French 19th century banjo shaped case clock is an eye catching piece in any space. Topped by an ornately carved cornice above the dial faced door. Supported by an intricate bras...
Metal, Brass, Bronze, Iron
19th Century Swedish Tall Case Clock with Painted Case
Located in Milford, NH
Wonderful polychrome 19th century Swedish tall case clock with central urn with swags, Roman numeral dial, brass works and waist door with ci...
Antique Edwardian Mahogany Striking Mantel Clock
Located in Suffolk, GB
A refined and beautifully proportioned Edwardian mahogany mantel clock of elegant Gothic-arched form decorated with delicate satinwood inlay depicting bows, floral garlands and class...
Mahogany
Small Mahogany Mantel Clock by Webster, London
By Richard Webster
Located in Norwich, GB
Small mahogany mantel clock by Webster, London Break arch case with applied carved decoration resting on a shaped stepped plinth and standing on four brass ball feet. Brass bezel opening to the silvered dial with Roman numerals, original ‘blued’ steel hands signed Webster, Queen Victoria Street, London. The hinged back door opening to the eight day movement with platform escapement striking the hours and halves on a coiled gong. The backplate of the clock also signed Webster. C.1880 The Webster family clockmaking business was founded by William Webster and passed from father to son for almost 200 years. William Webster was apprenticed to John Barnet in 1701 and then transferred to Thomas Tompion...
Mahogany
Sold
H 87.5 in W 19 in D 12 in
George II Japanned Chinoiserie Longcase Clock by John Crouch, Knightsbridge
By John Crouch
Located in Dallas, TX
A George II longcase clock with chinoiserie decoration by London clock and watchmaker John Crouch / Knightsbridge (an exclusive residential and retail district in central London).
Brass
Chinoiserie Longcase Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality Chippendale influenced chinoiserie ivory lacquer grandmother clock. Having gilded decoration to the finials and case, classical oriental scenes, brass faced arch ...
Lacquer
Chinoiserie Lacquer Chippendale style Grandmother Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality Chinese Chippendale style chinoiserie lacquer grandmother clock. Having a pagoda style hood, brass faced, eight-day movement. The case having gilded classical oriental...
Wood