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.
19 Century Porcelain Sculpture of Chinese Antique, Girl with fruit basket
By Alexander's Collection
Located in Hong Kong, HK
19 Century Porcelain Sculpture of Chinese Antique, Girl with fruit basket
Porcelain
Vintage Asian Ceramic Tang Dynasty Style Horse
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fabulous vintage Asian glazed ceramic horse. Done in the style of the Tang Dynasty. Beautiful glossy off white finish. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate
Ceramic
$1,108Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Chinese jade figures - shoulao
Located in Lugo, IT
Pair of Chinese figures in spinach green jade. (1 item with two figures) Good condition. Thank you
Jade
Large Antique Chinese Quality Carved Hardwood Figure
Located in Suffolk, GB
Large antique Chinese quality carved hardwood figure of a bearded gentleman holding a drinking cup in period clothing standing on a carved base. A v...
Hardwood
$720Sale Price|40% Off
Chinese Jade and Jadeite Grapes Vine on Stand
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Unique Jade sculpture of grape vine in spinach Jade vase with jadeite grapes Chinese handcarved. Sculpture on green marble stand. Exceptional craftsmanship. From a private Florida co...
Jade
Antique Chinese Marble Buddha Sculpture, 1900s
Located in Naples, IT
Exceptional and ancient Buddha in fine marble. Carved by hand, he represents Buddha with his hand raised in an auspicious attitude.
Marble
Vintage Asian 1920s Blanc De Chine Figure of Lady
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fabulous vintage 1920s Asian figurine. A chic Blanc de Chine design of a beautiful woman. Stamped on the bottom.
Porcelain
Finely Carved Antique Persian Hardwood Box
Located in Rochester, NY
Finely carved Persian hinged box. Decorated with fantasy animals. Circa 1900. Carved hardwood.
Hardwood
$742Sale Price|45% Off
H 11 in W 6.5 in D 7.5 in
Early 20th Century Antique Chinese Carved Stone Buddha Head Sculpture
Located in Pomona, CA
Look at this magnificent Chinese Antique Carved Stone Buddha Head. It was dated back to 1920s and shows very detailed hand carving works on it. You can see from the pictures that It ...
Stone
$1,400
H 14.5 in W 18 in D 5.5 in
Vintage Midcentury Bronze Asian Style Horse Sculpture, Han Dynasty Flying Horse
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage midcentury Asian bronze horse sculpture, Han dynasty flying horse Offered for sale is a striking vintage midcentury bronze horse sculptur...
Bronze
Chinese Cloisonné Bird on a Stand
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Fine Chinese parrot or bird expertly decorated with enamel on brass presented on a custom wood perch and lucite stand.
Metal
Chinese Carved Boxwood Figure of Guanyin, Mid-Qing Dynasty
Located in Austin, TX
A sublime Chinese carved boxwood figure of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Avalokiteshvara, called Guanyin in Chinese, mid-Qing dynasty. The an...
Boxwood
Tang Dynasty Painted Pottery Horse and Rider, TL Tested
Located in Austin, TX
A charming Tang dynasty painted pottery figure of a horse and mounted noble rider. TL tested by Oxford Authentication. The horse portrayed standing fours...
Earthenware
$533
H 14.97 in W 5.91 in D 4.73 in
Late 19th Century Sculpture of Maria with Baby Jesus Biscuit Porcelain
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful biscuit porcelain sculpture, depicting Mary with baby Jesus on her arm. The sculpture is marked on the bottom, but the sign is ...
Porcelain
Bronze Sculpture by Johan Vierthaler, Germany, 1900s
Located in Brussels, BE
Bronze Sculpture by Johan Vierthaler, Germany, 1900s
Bronze
19th Century Patinated Bronze Sculpture of Girl and Boy
Located in Tarry Town, NY
This large patinated bronze statue of a girl kissing a boy in the manner of Auguste Moreau (1834-1917) dates from the late nineteenth century. Apparently unsigned and mounted on roun...
Bronze
$1,330Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 21 in W 8.5 in D 12.5 in
Pair of Chinese Bronze Deity Figures, 20th Century
Located in Belmont, MA
Pair of Chinese bronze figures of deities standing on dragons. The two sculptures were made in the 20th century. They represent the Tao gods Lu Xing and Fu Xin...
Bronze
Malachite Rock on Display Stand Chinese Scholar Stone
Located in Atlanta, GA
A malachite rock specimen with intense green and black colors fitted on a wood stand and displayed as a Chinese scholar stone. The gemstone in t...
Stone
Bronze Chinese Statue of Three Figures
Located in Miami, FL
Finely detailed antique bronze of three Chinese figures with a wonderful patina. A beautiful and bold conversation piece for any home. Measures: 7 3/4" H x 5" W x 2 3/4" D Delightfu...
Bronze
Midcentury Brass Coconut Palm Tree
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chic midcentury stylized palm tree with removable fronds, coconuts, reticulated trunk and a round weighted base. Hand polished and lacquered for easy care.
Brass
Sold
H 15.56 in W 25.2 in D 0.79 in
Very Rare circa 1850 Chinese Hand-Carved Serving Tray with Snake Handles & Frog
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare circa 1850 hand-carved from a single piece of timber serving tray with snake handles chasing a frog A very good looking and exqui...
Wood
Pair of Chinese Crystal Trees in Finely Chased Bronze Urns
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Chinese Crystal Trees in Finely Chased Bronze Urns, believed to be circa 1940's, possibly much earlier. Excellent workmanship in both the constru...
Crystal, Bronze
Rare Pair of Porcelain Chinoiserie Male and Female Figures on Pedestals
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chic pair of porcelain figures crafted in three pieces: pedestal, pillow, and classic male and female chinoiserie figures, he with a flute and she with a fan, together an alluring, h...
Antique Kwan Yin Wooden Sculpture
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration an antique wooden sculpture of Kwan Yin. Hand-carved in a solid piece of wood with nice attention to detail. It appears that one poi...
Wood
Pair of Large and Dramatic Pine Pagodas
Located in Palm Beach, FL
A pair of large pine pagodas, with lattice work windows, operating doors, multi-tiered tiled roofs, carved corbels and bracket bases. Pagodas are very fanciful and very hard to find ...
Pine