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.
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
Semi Antique Sheraton Style Carved Mahogany Settee
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A three seat settee with curved back sections. Each with fluted supports and arms. The backs with carved lotus flowers flanking open X supports. The arms with turned supports. Raised...
Fabric, Mahogany
Victorian Carved Wood Settee
Located in San Francisco, CA
C. 20th century Victorian carved wood settee w/ light blue ribbed velvet.
Velvet, Wood
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
Early 20th Century Carved Mahogany Window Seat
Located in Miami, FL
An unusual early 20th century Adam style carved mahogany window seat, having serpentine back and seat with scrolled out-swept arms, decorated ...
Fabric, Mahogany
French Early 20th Century Walnut and Straw Settee, Circa 1920
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This settee has an amazing back made of strong wood, rustic look and so different.
Straw, Walnut
Queen Anne Style Mahogany & Marquetry inlay Settee or Bench
Located in Plainview, NY
A Queen Anne style two-seat settee, a masterpiece of refined craftsmanship. The seat back boasts rounded shoulders that exude sophistication. The inner panels show intricate marquet...
Mahogany
Carved Louis XVI Style Diminutive Settee
Located in Bridgeport, CT
With handsome Dark Stained and very well-carved frame depicting Scrolls and Shells. The divided Settee Back with separate Pads and the Legs terminating in a Snail’s Head foot. Uphols...
Fabric, Wood
A George III Style Hand Carved Mahogany Settee, Late 19th Century
Located in Lambertville, NJ
An elegant hand carved mahogany George III double frame back settee. The oval backs with plume spalt in center with gently formed ridge arms and tapering legs. The seat in 100% new ...
Silk, Mahogany
$3,225
H 40.5 in W 59.5 in D 27 in
Early 20th Century Louis XV Style Finely Carved Wood and Caned Settee
Located in Hudson, NY
This three-seat sofa or settee is made of hand-carved wood with many fine details and retains its original painted finish. Done in the Louis XV style and made in France with the time...
Cane, Wood
Antique Swan Carved Claw Foot Mahogany Settee
Located in Woodbury, CT
Very rare early 1900's Empire/Classical swan carved mahogany settee. Featuring tall swan carved arms, deep seat, claw and ball carved feet, nailhead trim, and the most whimsical frame.
Mahogany, Wood, Fabric
Fine Semi Antique Chippendale Style Mahogany Settee
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A intricately carved three seat settee with three part back in the classic Chippendale manner. The serpentine crest rail with scroll details and three openwork carved splats with rib...
Fabric, Mahogany
English Chippendale Mahogany Shield Back Settee, Circa 1790
Located in Charleston, SC
English Chippendale mahogany shield back settee with carved Price of Wales plumes, ribbon and bell flower motif, reeded serpentine arms, and termin...
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