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.
Mid-Century Chinese Chippendale Style Carved Faux Bamboo Bench Ottoman
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mod-century Chinese Chippendale style faux bamboo bench. The upholstery is gently used. The frame is a distressed black lacquer. It is unmarked and in very good condition.
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage Chinese Chippendale Style Carved Mahogany Fretwork Bench Stool - Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Chinese Chippendale Style Carved Mahogany Fretwork Bench Stools with Floral P...
Mahogany
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
Italian Style "X" Bench w/ Chinoiserie Linen Fabric
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian style "X" bench in a bleached walnut finish with brass knob details throughout. The bench is newly reupholstered in a soft faded chinoiserie style linen with nailhead trim de...
Linen, Walnut
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
$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
Louis XVI Style White Painted Bench
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular with bowed front. Circular tapered fluted legs. Used purple velvet upholstery.
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
$600Sale Price|20% Off
H 22 in W 34.75 in D 18.25 in
Vintage Chippendale Carved Mahogany Long Bench C1940
Located in Big Flats, NY
Vintage Chippendale Carved Mahogany Long Bench Unsigned C1940 Measures - 22" x 34 5/8" x 18 1/4" A vintage long bench produced in the Chippendale form from circa 1940 offers carved...
Mahogany
$1,925Sale Price|30% Off
H 30.75 in W 26.5 in D 14.5 in
Vintage Chinese Chippendale Faux Tortoise Shell Pierced Trellis Bench Arm Chair
Located in Dayton, OH
This distinctive diminutive open-arm accent chair or bench features a bold, tortoiseshell faux-painted finish over its entire wooden frame, creating a richly textured pattern of deep...
Hardwood, Lacquer
Chinese Chippendale Style Faux Bamboo Stool
Located in Sheffield, MA
English Chinese Chippendale style gold painted faux bamboo stool with red silk upholstered top is from the mid 20th century. Created in England during the midcentury period, the upho...
Wood
Chippendale Bench with Cross Stretchers
Located in Annville, PA
The Chippendale Bench with Cross Stretchers is a hand carved, Chippendale style bench produced from solid, kiln dried, plantation grown, mahogany and features an upholstered slip se...
Fabric, Mahogany
20th Century Chippendale Style Mahogany and Upholstered Bench
Located in Germantown, MD
A 20th Century Chippendale Style Mahogany and Upholstered Bench. Measures 36" in width, 21" in depth and 17" in height.
Upholstery, Mahogany
$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
$3,900 / set
H 21.5 in W 27.5 in D 27.5 in
Vintage Pair of Faux Bamboo Ottomans Benches Stools Birds New Upholstery
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Lovely pair of vintage faux bamboo ottomans, benches, stools. Newly upholstered in a bird fabric. Original wood finish. No damage or defects. Dimensions: 21.5 H x 27.5 W x 27.5 D.
Upholstery, Faux Bamboo
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