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.
Pair of Vintage Fret Chinese Chippendale Faux Bamboo Wood Benches End of Bed
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of vintage wood faux bamboo bench. Upholstery is original and will absolutely need to be recovered. May have stains, holes, dirt and indents to foam cushion interior from stacki...
Wood, Faux Bamboo
Vintage Chinese Chippendale Style Bench, Wood & Fabric, Elegant Design
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage Chinese Chippendale style 36" wide bench with Fleur de Lys fabric upholstery. A very versatile piece. Simple and elegant.
Fabric, Wood
Chinese Chippendale-Style Painted Bench
Located in Sheffield, MA
White painted bench or ottoman or stool with zebra linen upholstery, carved apron panels, decorative corner brackets and stretchers.
Linen, Wood
$795
H 18.5 in W 48.25 in D 19.25 in
Lexington Furniture Chippendale Style Carved Mahogany Ball & Claw Bench
Located in West Chester, PA
A high quality Chippendale Style Carved solid Mahogany Bench by Lexington Furniture with the original upholstered seat.
Upholstery, Mahogany
Faux Bamboo Midcentury Bench
Located in St. Louis, MO
Elegant bench with dark brown mahogany splayed legs carved to resemble bamboo, silk upholstery has some fading
Set Of Four Chinese Chippendale Faux Bamboo Chairs
Located in Bradenton, FL
20th century set of four faux bamboo Chinese Chippendale chairs. Set includes one armchair and three matching side chairs. Chairs feature intricately carved frames supported by taper...
Faux Bamboo
Louis XVI Style White Painted Bench
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular with bowed front. Circular tapered fluted legs. Used purple velvet upholstery.
Wood
$2,395 / set
H 19 in W 20 in D 15 in
Vintage Pair of Faux Bamboo Ottomans Benches Stools Floral New Upholstery
Located in Southampton, NJ
A pair of Faux bamboo benches or ottomans with slightly splayed legs and X stretchers. An opulent, exotic mix of Chinoiserie, Indian (Indo-Saracenic), and Chinese-inspired designs; n...
Upholstery, Faux Bamboo, Wood
Italian Brass Faux Bamboo Bench
Located in Stamford, CT
Italian brass bamboo bench. Newly upholstered in Schumacher Nakuru epingle woven fabric. Seat is 16.5” tall.
Brass
$1,596Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 36.25 in W 23 in D 21.5 in
Pair of Gorgeous Red Chinese Chippendale Faux Bamboo Armchairs
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This pair of striking red Chinese Chippendale armchairs showcases the timeless elegance of faux bamboo craftsmanship combined with the sophistication of classic Chippendale design. B...
Faux Leather, Walnut
Rustic Chinese Provincial Elm Wood Bench
Located in Sheffield, MA
The elegantly simple 19th century elmwood bench has the clean restraint of Classic Chinese Minimalist forms, Elegantly simple in design from China's Zhejiang province celebrates the...
Elm
$3,400
H 18.5 in W 38 in D 20 in
Vintage Faux Bamboo Chinese Chippendale Chinoiserie Newly Upholstered Bench
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Lovely vintage faux bamboo Chinese Chippendale Chinoiserie bench. Newly upholstered with a fabulous blue and white fabric. No issues or damage. Dimensions: 38 L x 20 D x 18.5 H.
Upholstery, Faux Bamboo
Chinese Carved Wood Long Bench
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An elaborate and finely carved bench in a pleasing Chestnut tone wood. Scrolled crest rail ends and arm ends. With four carved panels on the back with floral and fruit vines. A reeded skirt rail and with a shaped and carved running band of leafy vines. Innner sides carved with complimentary leafy motifs. The reeded back frame with square supports. The Bench is quite sturdy and surprisingly comfortable. L. 75", Depth 21", H. 33 1/2" Condition: Please see all detail photos. Signs of age include scrapes on the left arm end, repair to right arm end, stable age crack to left-side facing seat...
Wood
English Chinese Chippendale Giltwood Faux Bamboo Stool
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
English Chinese Chippendale style gilded faux bamboo stool from the mid-19th century, its square crown seat with canted corners upholstered with a leopard print cut velvet in orange ...
Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Style Elm Wood Skinny Bench
Located in Germantown, MD
Early 20th Century Chinese Style Elm Wood Skinny Bench Measures 54" in width, 12.5" in depth, 21.5" in height.
Elm
Pair of Chinese Chippendale Faux Bamboo Benches withe Scalamandre
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stylish pair of carved faux bamboo benches, footstools, or ottomans crafted in the Chinese Chippendale taste. The benches feature hand-carved faux bamboo legs, stretchers, and spandr...
Fabric, Faux Bamboo, Wood
English Colonial Bamboo & Wicker Bench With Cane Seat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just in, this English Colonial Bamboo & Wicker Bench With Cane Seat in the Chinoiserie, Chippendale style. The cane is in perfect condition. Very goo...
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane
Chinese Chippendale Style Bench or Loveseat with Pagoda Detail
Located in Chicago, IL
Chinese Chippendale Style Upholstered Bench with pagoda detail. Possibly 19th or 20th Century. No makers marks. Some slight marks and scuffing to frame. The upholstery on the sea...
Upholstery, Wood
Rare Pair of Chinese Chippendale Creme Painted Faux Bamboo Stools
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous pair of English-made Chinese Chippendale stools with beautiful ivory painted frames and faux bamboo carved legs. The upholstery is in usable condition, but one sea...
Walnut
Sold
H 20 in W 18 in D 18 in
Lovely Pair of Vintage Chinese Chippendale Style Benches Upholstered in Lee Jofa
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Wonderful pair of Chinese Chippendale style square ottoman benches having mahogany blind fretwork and elegant Lee Jofa fabric, finished with brass nailheads.
Upholstery, Mahogany
Sold
H 25.25 in W 36.25 in D 15 in
Faux Bamboo Paint Decorated Window Bench Stool with Needlepoint Upholstery
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous faux bamboo bench with needlepoint upholstery depicting volins and musical themes. The bench shows a distressed finish and is original. Measures 25.25 tall x 36.25...
Walnut
Sold
H 40.5 in W 20 in D 45.5 in
Vintage Mahogany Chippendale Bench With Schumacher Chinoiserie Upholstery
Located in Centennial, CO
A charming vintage mahogany Chippendale style two-seat bench newly upholstered with Schumacher "Asia Toile" cotton fabric. The backrests, arms and feet are beautifully hand carved. T...
Cotton, Mahogany
Chinese Chippendale Faux Bamboo Linen Upholstered Window Bench
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous faux bamboo Chinese Chippendale window or bed bench in what appears to be newer linen upholstery. The frame and upholstery seems to be in good condition. The frame...
Linen, Walnut
Chinese Chippendale Style Benches, Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair (2) of Chinese Chippendale style benches, each rectangular with buttoned upholstered yellow jacquard tops (faded), on reeded squar...
Wood
Vintage Coastal Briger Design Chinese Chippendale Bench
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fabulous vintage Coastal metal bench. A chic hand painted bamboo design with a coordinating cushion and Chinese Chippendale frame. Made by the iconic Chris Briger of the fabulous G...
Metal
Pair of Chinoiserie Upholstered Rattan Ottomans
By McGuire
Located in Stamford, CT
This is a pair of McGuire style benches upholstered with attached box cushions on rectangular chinoiserie rattan bases. 1960s era. In very good condition.
Upholstery, Rattan, Hardwood
Vintage Chippendale Benches, a Pair
Located in Charleston, SC
A fantastic pair of semi-gloss lacquered Chinese chippendale benches that have been newly upholstered in Vintage Bassett McNab "Simply Elegant" Lilac...
Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer