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.
19th Century Chinese Chippendale Mahogany Clock by Thomas Turner
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
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
$7,840
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
$2,950
H 95.5 in W 25.5 in D 18 in
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Mahogany 9 Tube Tall Case Grandfather Clock
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Mahogany 9 Tube Tall Case Grandfather Clock Dimensions : 95.5" Tall X 25.5" Wide X 18" Deep This stunning clock was ...
Brass
18th Century English Chinoiserie Decorated Tall Case Clock
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Tall case clock with chinoiserie decoration throughout the case, including figures, pagodas, and flowering trees in gold. The hood has a pagoda top with brass finials and flanking co...
Brass
Mora Clock 19th Century
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
Swedish Mora clock dated 1883 with hand painted Swedish floral details. Working Longcase clock mechanism of pendulum and 2 weights and a bell chime on the hour. Width: 62cm / 24.4" ...
Wood
$4,871
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
Grand Father Case Clock with Chinese Figures 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Grand father case clock with Chinese figures xixth English clock from the 19th century decorated with Asian landscapes. The clock works perfectly and is ...
Wood
Thomas Yuill Tall Case Clock
Located in East Aurora, NY
A very attractive Scottish Tall case clock signed by Thomas Yuill East Kilbride. Beautifully fan and string inlay decorated Mahogany case w...
Mahogany
$5,471
H 82.68 in W 20.08 in D 9.06 in
Beautiful Antique English Grandfather Clock, Mahogany, 19th Century
Located in Berlin, DE
Beautiful antique English grandfather clock, mahogany, 19th century. English floor clock, oak with thread inlay, hand painted dial...
Oak, Mahogany
Early 19th Century Danish Empire Console Clock in Mahogany
Located in Kastrup, DK
A beautiful and decorative late Empire console clock crafted in Cuban mahogany. The case is architecturally shaped with gracefully curved lines and executed with fine craftsmanship. ...
Metal, Brass
Mid-19th Century Seth Thomas Triple Decker Empire Clock
Located in Dekalb, IL
c. 1840s-1860s; Seth Thomas Clock Company - Plymouth Hollow, CT Empire-style column clock with reverse-painted floral tablet and stenciled gilt columns. This striking mid-19th cent...
Glass, Wood, Paint
$4,871
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
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