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.
Rare Anglo-Chinese Hongmu Corner Chair of George II Style Early 19th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A RARE ANGLO-CHINESE HONGMU CORNER CHAIR OF GEORGE II STYLE Early 19th Century The “ox-yoke” curved arm ending in rounded terminals and surmounted by an overscroll crest block above...
Elm
$395
H 27 in W 16.5 in D 16.5 in
Early 20th Century Cottage Style Bobbin Corner Chairs with Rush Seating
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Corner chair by Stefanus Collé from the 1920s features cottage style bobbin turnings and carved wood frame with original rush seating. Decorative spindles create characteristic verti...
Rush, Wood
$3,250 / set
H 36.5 in W 24.75 in D 20.5 in
Pair of Antique Swedish Monk's Corner Chairs in Oak, Circa Early 20th Century
Located in Peabody, MA
Pair of rustic Swedish munkstolar, or monk’s chairs, ca. 1910-1920. Their three legged design has its origins in the medieval monasteries of Northern Europe where it was considered a...
Oak
19th Century Antique French Bobbin Rush Corner Chair in Carved Oak
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique 19th c. French Bobbin rush corner chair. French rush-seat corner chair, Coin du Feu. 19th Century French Provincial-style carved oak armchair with open backs and rush seat....
Rush, Oak
Pair of 19th Century Carved Oak Corner Chairs
Located in High Point, NC
Pair of 19th century carved oak corner chairs from England with a wonderfully carved back, supports and arms, all depicting acanthus leaves and scrolls. The seats have wonderful carv...
Oak
Antique Early 19th Century Ladderback Irish Sugan Chair
Located in Las Vegas, NV
This chair is an amazing example of an all original Early 19th Century Ladderback Irish Sugan Chair. Its such a cool piece. Chair is in excellent, antique condition with age app...
Wood, Rush
$906Sale Price|30% Off
H 32 in W 19 in D 19 in
George III Style Carved Mahogany and Upholstered Corner Chair
Located in Germantown, MD
A George III Style Mahogany Upholstered Corner Chair Measures: 19" in width, 19" in depth and 32.5" H. Front corner to back corner is 26". Seat height is 19".
Upholstery, Mahogany
19th Century Italian Renaissance Corner Armchair
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century Italian Renaissance corner armchair was designed to take advantage of an otherwise unused space in the corner. Sculpted ...
Walnut
19th Century Italian Baroque Revival Corner Chair, Hand-Carved Walnut
Located in Hanover, MA
19th century Italian barrel-back corner chair, having octagonal acanthus gilt leaf carved backrest, resting on three scroll legs headed by gilt winged cupids, attached by a triangula...
Maple, Walnut
19th Century Antique French Bobbin Rush Corner Chair in Carved Oak
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique 19th c. French Bobbin Rush Corner Chair. French rush-seat corner chair, Coin du Feu. 19th Century French Provincial-style carved oak armchair with open backs and rush seat. A...
Rush, Oak
$2,004Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 37.01 in W 19.69 in D 18.12 in
19th Century French Pair of Hand Carved Chairs in Louis XVI Style
Located in Sofia, BG
19th century French pair of redecorated and cream coloured lacquered wood chairs with delicate golden painted finish. The chairs have round back in Louis XVI style and are in very go...
Wood
Faux Bamboo Gilded 19th Century Corner Chair by Heywood Wakefield
Located in Water Mill, NY
Faux bamboo gilded corner chair with needlepoint seat by Heywood Wakefield.
Giltwood
Early 20th Century Upholstered Walnut Corner Chair
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a highly carved Corner chair. It has a slat arm and an upholstered seat. The cabriole legs rest on brass casters.
Walnut
A pair of Chinese Chippendale Corner chairs with Polychromed detail
Located in New York, NY
A rare and highly decorative pair of 18th-century Chinese Chippendale-style corner chairs, expertly hand-carved and retaining their richly layered original polychrome and parcel-gilt...
Giltwood, Lacquer
Sold
H 34.75 in W 22.75 in D 24.75 in
Pair Of Chinese Chippendale Spun Mahogany Faux Bamboo Armchairs With Boucle
By Hickory Chair Furniture Company
Located in Southampton, NJ
A stunning pair of Chippendale style faux bamboo armchairs having spun mahogany frames with natural boucle wool seats. Gorgeous in person and in fantastic condition having solid fra...
Bouclé, Mahogany
Pair of Brighton Pavilion Style Chairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Mid-century pair of the iconic Brighton Pavilion chairs crafted in bamboo and rattan with caned seats in an Asian form with chippendale influen...
Bamboo
Pair of Chinese Chippendale Style Corner Armchairs
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Chinese Chippendale style corner armchairs. Each having a group of four ball and claw cabriole carved legs supporting a semi circular back rest with fine carvings. The whole ...
Indian Cove Lodge Carved Chairs
Located in North York, ON
Intricately detailed hand carving with the most artful precision adorns these unique chairs. Made of solid mahogany these chairs have been finished in a hand rubbed and polished ebon...
Fabric, Leather, Mahogany