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 Mahogany Needlepoint Sofa, Circa 1750
By Joseph Aronson
Located in Charleston, SC
English Chinese Chippendale mahogany sofa with carved corner fret works, serpentine back, scrolled arms, and terminating on squared legs with connecting stretchers. Mid-18th century....
Early 20th-C. English Chinese Chippendale Style Carved Mahogany Settee / Bench
Located in Kennesaw, GA
Such a beautiful back! This is an early English Chinese Chippendale style mahogany settee. The carving is amazing! The vintage striped upholstery i...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Carved Chinese Chippendale Settee This is a charming piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Carved Chinese Chippendale Settee This is a charming piece, the frame has a curved shape with carved back supports and top rail matching the chunky carved cabriole legs The settee ...
Mahogany
Victorian Carved Wood Settee
Located in San Francisco, CA
C. 20th century Victorian carved wood settee w/ light blue ribbed velvet.
Velvet, Wood
$3,875
H 30 in W 88 in D 30 in
Vintage English Chesterfield Leather Tufted Sofa Oxblood Red Mid Century
Located in Tyler, TX
TIMELESS Vintage English Leather Tufted Seat CHESTERFIELD 4-Seat Sofa Oxblood Red PERFECT ICONIC look for a gentleman's office, study, library, or cigar lounge~~upholstery is "oxblo...
Leather
$3,850
H 33 in W 92 in D 36.5 in
Elegant English Rolled Arm Sofa in a Bold Striped Tone-on-Tone Fabric
Located in Bronx, NY
The loose seat, tight back sofa offers excellent comfort and look at the same time.
Upholstery
$10,825
H 29.93 in W 85.83 in D 35.63 in
1950's Hand Dyed Restored Cigar Brown Leather Chesterfield Club Sofa English
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this original 1950’s cigar brown leather Chesterfield club sofa in lightly restored condition with fully buttoned base and solid walnut turned feet...
Leather, Beech, Oak
$12,855
H 32.68 in W 53.35 in D 31.5 in
Fully Restored Whisky Brown Leather Lutyen's Viceroy Sofa, circa 1900
By Lutyen’s Viceroy, Thomas Chippendale
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare fully restored Whisky brown leather Lutyen’s Viceroy style two seat brown leather sofa with Thom...
Leather
English Chippendale Style Mahogany Camel Back Roll Arm Settee Sofa
Located in Southampton, NJ
An early 20th c. diminutive Chippendale style Mahogany settee with plush goose down filled cushion and hand carved frame; newly upholstered in striking Canary Yellow Damask. Seat: 2...
Upholstery, Mahogany, Down
George III Mahogany Sofa
Located in Essex, MA
Nice proportions and arched back, out scrolled arms raised on blind fret carved square legs and H-form stretchers. Original casters.
Mahogany
$8,750
H 35.5 in W 78 in D 27.5 in
Scandinavian Empire Sofa in Mahogany with Ormolu and Upholstery, circa 1815
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
An elegant Empire Swedish Karl Johan sofa with graceful lines in mahogany with satinwood line inlay, ormolu and ebonized details. Offers scrolled arms and saber feet with upholstered...
Ormolu
French Early 20th Century Settee
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This settee has an amazing back made of strong wood, rustic look and so different.
Straw, Walnut
Empire Marquetry Sofa in Mahogany with Satinwood Inlays, circa 1820
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A lovely and well-proportioned marquetry sofa with arched back, scroll arms and short Grecian curved legs in mahogany embellished with inlays of festoo...
Satinwood, Upholstery, Mahogany, Tulipwood
Gorgeous Sofa
Located in Munich, DE
A cosy organic design i never saw before. Very low and comfortable seating.
Fabric
Early 20th Century Italian High Back Winged Settee
By Rubelli
Located in Weesp, NL
Early 20th century Italian high back winged settee with original Rubelli (Venice) upholstery. Please note mior wear on one of the arms. Colors may slight...
Fabric, Beech
Chinese Chippendale Style Camelback Settee In Ostrich Leather
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a Chinese Chippendale style camelback settee in a gold ostrich leather. The welting is black. The frame is a carved mahogany. It is unmarked and in very good vintage conditio...
Ostrich Leather, Mahogany
Sold
H 33 in W 66.5 in D 24 in
Mid-Century Chinese Red Chippendale Style Faux Bamboo & Cane Settee / Bench
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a really good looking large scale English Chinese red carved faux bamboo settee with a cane seat. The seat is 17.5”H. The arm is 27.5”. The painted frame is intentionally dis...
Cane, Fruitwood
Sold
H 27 in W 53 in D 31 in
Chinese Chippendale Style Faux Bamboo Settee Fretwork Upholstery By Meadowcraft
By Meadowcraft
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a Chinese Chippendale style white faux bamboo settee by Meadowcraft. There are two available. The upholstery is a white lattice / fretwork on a turquoise background. The upho...
Aluminum
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
Sold
H 34 in W 58 in D 30 in
Chinese Chippendale Style Settees / Sofas W/ Mahogany Frame By Southwood - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of 20th century Chinese Chippendale style settees by the American manufacturer, Southwood & Co. They are marked, and the vintage s...
Upholstery, Mahogany, Down
Brighton Pavilion Bamboo Settee / Loveseat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage bamboo Brighton Pavilion style loveseat with cane seat. This beautiful settee is very sturdy and has great detail. Very Chinoiserie !
Bamboo
George II Chippendale Style Japanned Settee
Located in Southampton, NJ
An early 20th c. George II style solid mahogany settee decorated with japan-work, chinoiserie landscapes and figures, on cabriole legs with ball and paw feet. Overall high quality japanning on black lacquered ground with carved relief shell decoration having a drop in seat upholstered in vintage Brunschwig & Fils fabric...
Upholstery, Mahogany, Lacquer
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
Chinese Chippendale Style Mahogany Caned Bench Settee
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive mahogany bench seat or settee hand-crafted in the Chinese chippendale taste. The bench features a caned seat and arabesque quatrefoil designs on the back and sides. The s...
Cane, Mahogany
1970's Iron Faux Bamboo Settee
Located in Southampton, NJ
1970's faux bamboo heavy iron settee or bench fully restored with new powder coat finish in Tiffany Blue, upholstered in vintage new stock Bassett McNab Oriental Sage Chinoiserie Cot...
Iron
19th Century Chinese Chippendale Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Sofa
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Stunning and rare 19th century Chinese Chippendale style black lacquer sofa decorated in the English chinoiserie revival taste of 1850...
Linen, Lacquer, Wood