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.
Vintage Chinese Chippendale Settee, Lacquered Wood, Elegant Design
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Wonderful Chinese Chippendale style navy blue lacquered settee reupholstered in Ralph Lauren Chinoiserie fabric. The frame features classic Ch...
Fabric, Faux Bamboo, Wood
Bernhardt Hibriten Loveseat, Lee Jofa Printed Velvet
Located in North Canton, OH
Just arrived back from our Professional Upholstery Source, this 1980's Vintage Loveseat from Bernhardt's Hibriten Collection, has a subtle Chinese Chippendale presentation and was ju...
Velvet
Art Deco Style Curved Back Coral Pink Velvet Loveseat
By Jhon Ortiz, The Tailored Home
Located in Greenwich, CT
Petite loveseat upholstered in coral pink velvet with a gently curved back and softly rolled arms. The tight seat and back give the piece a clean, tailored look while maintaining a c...
Velvet, Wood, Maple
Vintage Regency Judith Norman Printed Floral Loveseat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This elegant Judith Norman loveseat is a masterful distillation of 1980s Postmodernism and romantic "Grandmillennial" flair. Fully upholstered in a premium chintz-style fabric, the s...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
$3,995 / set
H 24 in W 63 in D 33 in
Pair of Chrome Framed Grey Velvet Loveseats Style of Milo Baughman
Located in Hanover, MA
Pair of vintage 1970's chrome framed cantilevered loveseat sofas in the style of Milo Baughman and similar to seating groups of the period by Selig and Bernhardt's Flair division. T...
Steel, Chrome
Vintage Victorian Style Outdoor Settee
Located in Pasadena, TX
Victorian-Style Wrought Iron Curved Garden Bench Charming petite wrought iron garden bench with an open and airy design featuring a scalloped, s...
Wrought Iron
$4,200
H 34 in W 69 in D 34 in
Mid Century Post Modern Curved Chaise Lounge or Loveseat in Black Velvet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sleek contemporary chaise lounge circa 1980's. This well made sofa retains its's original black velvet like upholstery. Its in very clean condition and usable as it is.
Fabric
Vintage Chinese Chippendale Style Lacquered Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage Chinese Chippendale style chair in a gorgeous white lacquered finish. This pagoda chair has beautiful detailing and has been professionally uphol...
Wood
Vintage 1970s Pencil Reed Loveseat in Off-White Bouclé Settee
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A sculptural pencil reed loveseat from the 1970s, newly upholstered in an off-white textured bouclé. This two-seat settee showcases the refined linearity of reed construction, paired...
Bamboo, Reed
$16,874Sale Price|20% Off
H 25.99 in W 143.71 in D 34.65 in
Heide Rolf Elegant Vintage Wood and Bouclé Sofa for ICF
By ICF Milano 1
Located in Milano, IT
Rare and beautiful 7-seater sofa designed in the 1960s by Heide Rolf for the fine ICF production. The sofa consists of 7 seats in total and a coffee table. The frame is entirely ma...
Bouclé, Wood
$9,700
H 32 in W 66 in D 38 in
French Design, Art Deco, Sofa, Lacquered Rosewood, Beige Velour, France, 1930s
Located in Stamford, CT
French Art Deco style rosewood sofa/couch having a fine velour upholstery with lacquered rosewood arms. This magnificent sofa or large loveseat is cert...
Rosewood, Upholstery
$3,800
H 29 in W 69 in D 30 in
Midcentury ETRA Italian Loveseat Light Purple Velvet Sofa Style of Marco Zanuso
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Miami, FL
Midcentury sofa or loveseat in the style of Marco Zanuso, original light purple velvet fabric (a discolored mark on the seat). ETRA design. Bronze, front and back feet. The structure...
Brass
Swedish Art Moderne Settee Sofa, Cherry Red Velvet, 1940s Design
Located in Atlanta, GA
Beautifully stylized Art Moderne Settee Sofa Loveseat from 1940's Sweden. Upholstered in original cherry red velvet. Price includes reupholstery in COM fa...
Velvet
$5,100Sale Price / item|26% Off
H 30 in W 78 in D 26 in
Channeled Back Armless Settee with Back Stretchers and Solid Seat on Wood Legs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Elliot sofa is all hand carved with channeled back and solid channeled seat. It is shown in light tone fabric and walnut wood frame and legs. Hand carved wood frame all hair fill...
Linen, Walnut
Chinese Chippendale Caned Barrel Back Settee Loveseat Bench
Located in Southampton, NJ
An exquisite Chinese Chippendale style Faux bamboo with caned barrel back settee loveseat upholstered in a deep blue Regency fabric. Circa 1980's. In very...
Cane, Walnut, Fabric
Paint Decorated Chinese Chippendale Bench, 1930
Located in New York, NY
A paint decorated Chinese Chippendale three seat bench with loose cushion, circa 1930.
Wood
Vintage Regency Chinese Chippendale Loveseat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gorgeous vintage Regency wood frame loveseat. A beautiful Chinese Chippendale design with fretwork trim detail. Matching sofa also available. Ac...
Wood
Chinese Chippendale Caned Barrel Back Settee Loveseat
Located in Southampton, NJ
An exquisite Chinese Chippendale style Faux bamboo with caned barrel back settee loveseat newly upholstered in plush Teal Mohair. Circa 1980's.
Mohair, Cane, Walnut
Chinoiserie Faux Bamboo Loveseat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Chinoiserie inspired faux bamboo settee with caned seat & one cushion.
Faux Bamboo, Cane
Antique Qing Dynasty Chinese Loveseat Bench, circa 1890
Located in Van Nuys, CA
From the late Qing dynasty in China. This exceptionally beautiful love seat bench in elmwood features a hand-carved dragon and floral seat back, sculpted dragon arms and legs. The se...
Elm
Classic Brighton Pavillion Style Bamboo Loveseat Settee
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Classically stylish Brighton pavillion style bamboo loveseat with wonderful hand crafted design and a pristine caned seat.
Bamboo
Sold
H 40.5 in W 52 in D 25 in
Brown Jordan Rattan Loveseat Brighton Chinoiserie Style Settee, Midcentury
By Brown Jordan
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome Brighton chinoiserie or Chinese Chippendale style rattan loveseat settee by Brown Jordan. It is in fabulous vintage condition. Sturdy, the rattan is excellent, and the seat ...
Fabric, Rattan
Chinese Chippendale Faux Bamboo and Cane Bench
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Charming loveseat featuring a carved solid wood faux bamboo frame and cane panels. Made in the Chinese Chippendale taste with five carved legs and decorative spandrels. Removable cus...
Cane, Wood
Pair of Camel Back, Chinese Chippendale Sofa Loveseats
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Small, comfy and elegant Chinese Chippendale loveseats, newly reupholstered in white duck. Beautiful carved wood legs.
Upholstery, Wood
Black Tole Painted Chippendale Style Settee
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Talk about great form, this is it! A fabulous Chippendale style black tole settee with a woven seat, and worn gold hand-painted floral decoration. A very dramatic piece, in the best ...
Regency Style Chinese Chippendale Settee
Located in Rochester, NY
A Hollywood Regency Chinese Chippendale style settee of desirable small size dating from the Mid 20th Century having perfectly scaled proportions that look great from every angle. I...