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.
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
Antique Chinese Pair of Footstools or Plant Stands
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Antique Chinese Pair of Footstools or Plant stands with carving decorations.
Wood
Pair of Claw Foot Stools in the style of Thomas Chippendale
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A carved mahogany, upholstered stool in the mid Georgian manner with shell carved knees, acanthus decoration and hairy paw feet. We are currently working to a 30-36 week lead time.
Wood
$1,027
H 19.77 in W 21.26 in D 13 in
Art Deco Figured Walnut Dressing Table Stool, English, circa 1930
Located in Devon, England
Very stylish Art Deco dressing stool dating to the 1930s, can be used for dressing table or footstool. Newly reupholstered in an Art Deco style fabric, beautifully figured walnut ven...
Walnut
Hexagonal Tripod Stool
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stubby wooden hexagonal stool, made in France, circa 1950s. Thick seat with three rounded legs. No nails or hardware. Great lines and shape. Petite stoo...
Wood
Mid Century Alpaca White Faux Fur Stool, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stool from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful white faux fur white upholstery. The stool consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, char...
Velvet, Beech
Pair of Mid Century X Stretcher Ottomans or Footstools
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Simple and elegant pair of Mid Century ottomans a xwith travel related print in the fabric. X Stretcher in dark walnut. Nice and tight, fabric is good. In excellent vintage condition...
Fabric, Walnut
Pair of Midcentury Footstools, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of fabric, wood The fabric shows signs of use Good original condition.
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Swedish Neoclassic Painted Footstools
Located in Essex, MA
Each with carved seat rail with set in seat raised on carved legs headed by paterae and tapered with reeded tassel and fluting joined by a turned X-form stretcher.
Other
$465 / set
H 14.97 in W 21.66 in D 13.78 in
Set of Two Faux Leather Brown Vintage Stools, Edmund Homa, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stools from the turn of the 1960s. Beautiful brown high quality faux leather. The stools consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic o...
Fabric
Pair of 1940's Italian Footstools
Located in Hanover, MA
***FALL SALE*** A very smart pair of 1940's Italian foot stools or small benches. The walnut has been refinished and the gold velvet is original. Elegantly carved legs. The wood bas...
Velvet, Walnut
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
$5,600 / set
H 9.5 in W 12 in D 16 in
Pair of English Mahogany Medallion Upholstered Foot Stools on Ball Feet, C. 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of English mahogany scrolled medallion upholstered foot stools resting on the original ball feet. Stools are upholstered in white muslin. Early 19th Century
Muslin, Mahogany
Russell Stool
Located in Greenwich, CT
The Russell stool, a handcrafted recreation of one of Gordon Russell's earliest and most successful Cotswold School designs, crafted in white oak by Wooster and Essex having an uphol...
Oak
Chinese Chippendale Rosewood Foot Stool or Bonsai Tree Plant Stand
Located in Germantown, MD
A cute Chinese Chippendale Rosewood Foot Stool or Bonsai Tree Plant Stand in good vintage condition. Measures 18" in width, 10" in depth and 6" in hei...
Rosewood
Chippendale Style Painted Rattan Footstool
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The rattan stool in white with black speckled paint overall. The curved legs in a chinoiserie openwork rattan style and center X stretcher with turned finial. The seat upholstered in...
Rattan
Sold
H 17.5 in W 22.5 in D 17.25 in
Chinese Chippendale Pair of Foot Stools in Orange and Yellow Stripe Upholstery
Located in Topeka, KS
Gorgeous Chinese Chippendale orange and yellow striped upholstered pair of stools by Burlington House Furniture. Comprised of walnut stained...
Fabric, Wood
Chinese Chippendale Style Mahogany Stool
Located in Atlanta, GA
Charming 19th century English carved mahogany stool in the Chinese Chippendale style with four square fretwork carved legs and block feet joined by an X stretcher. The stool is uphol...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Sold
H 13 in W 19.5 in D 19 in
English 1900s Chinese Chippendale Style Ebonized Wood Footstool with Upholstery
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English Chinese Chippendale style ebonized wood footstool from the early 20th century, with newly upholstered seat. Born in England during the reign of King Edward VII, this styli...
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 14.5 in W 38.5 in D 14 in
Vintage Black Chinese Chippendale-Style Bench with Black and Gold Upholstery
Located in Topeka, KS
Sassy vintage Chinese Chippendale-style bench with a distressed black painted finish and new black and gold stripe upholstery. Small-scale and perfect for so many places. Sometime...
Fabric, Wood