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.
$1,753 / item
Chippendale Bamboo Dining Chair, White
Located in Westwood, NJ
Chippendale bamboo dining chair, this timeless geometric design lattice back bamboo formed dining side chair is finished in dry chalk white with lig...
Wood
Pair of Mid-20th Century Chinese Chippendale Side Chairs
Located in Bradenton, FL
Stunning pair of Mid-Century Modern Chinese Chippendale side chairs. Chairs feature ornate carved wood top rail over a fretwork splat, open arms and lattice-carved legs and stretchers.
Textile, Wood
$3,250 / set
19Th C. Pair Qing Dynasty Chinese Bamboo Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Wonderful example of a Pair English Chinese Fretwork horseshoe back bamboo chair. They are from Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) The chairs are made of Bamboo, Lacquer and are on an Elm Wo...
Bamboo, Lacquer
Mid-century hand painted decorator chinoiserie armchairs/a pair
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a pair of mid-century vintage hand painted decorator arm chairs /side shares. These chairs feature a Chinese Chippendale lattice work to th...
Wood
$1,753 / item
Chippendale Bamboo Dining Chair, Ebonized
Located in Westwood, NJ
Chippendale bamboo dining chair, this timeless geometric design lattice back bamboo formed dining side chair in an ebonized finish with light distre...
Wood
Pair of Chinese Rosewood Nicely Carved Arm Side Chairs
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of decorative Chinese Asian arm dining chairs.
Rosewood
Late 20th Century Bamboo Side Chair with Slatted Seat and Back
Located in Trenton, NJ
A vintage bamboo side chair characterized by substantial pole construction and a geometric arrangement of slatted and wrapped elements. The rectangular outer frame rises above the s...
Bamboo
$4,250 / set
Pair of Chinese Chippendale Style Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of Chinese Chippendale style chairs. Pair of Chinese Chippendale style chairs in a gorgeous blue high gloss finish. This pair ha...
Wood
$1,753 / item
Chippendale Bamboo Dining Chair, Light Oak
Located in Westwood, NJ
Chippendale Bamboo dining chair, this timeless geometric design lattice back bamboo formed dining side chair in a light oak finish with light distre...
Wood
Pair of English Chinese Chippendale Style Midcentury Side Chairs with Upholstery
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of English Chinese Chippendale style iron side chairs from the mid 20th century with intricate backs, grey color, faux bamboo structure and new linen upholstery. Created in England during the Midcentury period, each of this pair of side chairs features a grey colored faux bamboo iron structure inspired by the Chinese Chippendale style. The slightly curving backs, made of a careful arrangement of geometric shapes, are flowing into the hind legs in a graceful manner. A rectangular seat, newly recovered with a neutral toned linen fabric, is resting above four splaying legs connected to one another through an H-Form cross stretcher strengthening the ensemble beautifully. With their Chinese Chippendale lines, sturdy iron material and exotic faux-bamboo influence, this pair of English side chairs...
Iron
Pair of Antique Travelers Folding Chairs // Mare in China, cca. 1880s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a pair of antique Chinese folding chairs. They are done in hand-carved wood, with a woven string seats. Often referred to as traveler's chairs, these si...
String, Wood
$3,850 / set
H 37 in W 20 in D 17 in
Vintage Boho Chinese Chippendale Bamboo Dining Chairs - Set of Four
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Infuse your dining space with the timeless elegance of Chinese Chippendale design. This stunning set of four vintage dining chairs showcases the iconic fretwork back, expertly crafte...
Bamboo, Rattan
Venezia Mid-18th Century Baroque Hand-Carved Walnut Armchair
Located in Brescia, IT
Mid-18th Century baroque hand-carved 1750 Venetian walnut armchair. Straw seat not original. The 18th Century was in Venice the Golden Age and this armchair is a remarkable work by ...
Walnut
$6,400 / set
H 32.68 in W 17.33 in D 18.71 in
Set of Eight Fine French Art Deco Ebonized Lime Oak Dining Chairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
Set of eight fine French Art Deco ebonized oak dining chairs with a light ceruse.
Oak
$8,800 / set
H 36 in W 24 in D 23 in
Set of Ten Chinese Chippendale Lacquered Faux Bamboo Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Extraordinary set of ten black lacquered faux-bamboo dining chairs designed in the Chinese Chippendale taste. The set consists of all armchairs with arms measuring 27.25 inches high....
Fabric, Beech
$25,200Sale Price / set|21% Off
H 37.5 in W 25 in D 24 in
Robert Venturi Post-Modern 'Chippendale' Chairs for Knoll International, c. 1985
By Knoll, Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown, Robert Venturi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This rare and sought after set of collectors chairs is called the 'Chippendale' chair by Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown for Knoll International, circa 1985 featuring a black c...
Leather, Laminate, Plywood
Pair Of Hand Painted Gustavian Accent Chairs
Located in Bruton, GB
A delightful pair of painted wooden side chairs in the Swedish tradition, featuring softly shaped crest backs with elegant scroll detailing and turned legs. Finished in a serene pale...
Hardwood
Pair of Mid-Century Leather and Chrome Tufted Style Armchairs
By Cumberland Furniture, Milo Baughman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish pair of vintage modern arm chairs feature tufted leather seats and heavy flat chrome frames. Midcentury appeal in the style of Milo Baughman adds striking seating to hom...
Chrome
Italian Period Mid-Century Poltrona Frau Armchairs
Located in Austin, TX
Italian leather armchairs in the manner of Poltrona Frau, featuring elegant saddle-leather construction with fully wrapped legs and a suspended seat. Architectural winged arms and a ...
Leather
$7,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 36.5 in W 24 in D 19 in
Set of 8 Bleached Chinese Chippendale Faux Bamboo Dining Chairs
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of 8 Bleached Chinese Chippendale Faux Bamboo Dining Chairs with caned seats. The set consists of 2 generously propor...
Cane, Wood
Brutalist Wooden Side Chair, Europe Mid-20th Century
Located in Utrecht, NL
Brutalist furniture emerged as a reaction against refinement and ornament, favouring instead expressive raw materials. Designers and artisans embraced rough textures, asymmetry, and ...
Wood
$1,273Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 18.51 in D 18.51 in
Art Deco Chair, Ebonized Wood, Orange Fabric, France, circa 1930
Located in Regensburg, DE
Elegant original Art Deco dining room chair from France around 1930. The beech solid wood frame has been black lacquered and high-gloss polished. The curving of the backrest, as wel...
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Antique Faux Bamboo & Cane Chair, 19th-Century Chinoiserie Style
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautifully crafted 19th-century faux bamboo side chair featuring a handwoven cane seat and an elegant spindle fan-back. This chair is a classic example of the English and French C...
Cane, Wood
$2,520 / set
H 33.08 in W 16.93 in D 16.15 in
Pair English 19th Century Faux Bamboo And Rush Side Chairs C.1815
Located in London, GB
Pair Of English 19th Century Faux Bamboo And Rush Side Chairs C.1815 A pair of English Regency side chairs in solid wood with original rush seats. Slender turned legs, shaped stretc...
Faux Bamboo, Rush
19th Century Gold Gilt and Painted Empire Armchair
Located in San Angelo, TX
Here is a beautiful Empire chair that we purchased in Naples, Italy. This is a classic style, with a fun pop of color with blue velvet that can be left as is or can be reupholstered ...
Wood, Paint
$2,800
H 37 in W 21 in D 21 in
Pair of Ebonized Faux Bamboo Armchairs with New Linen Fabric Upholstery
By Henredon, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of super high quality solid like a rock faux bamboo arm fire side armchairs with newly upholstered seats. The quality is very similar to Baker Drexel or Henredon. Unlabeled.
Hardwood
Sold
H 38.5 in W 20 in D 21 in
Chinese Chippendale Style Bamboo Side Chair with Cane Seat and Teal Cushion
Located in Astoria, NY
Chinese Chippendale Style Bamboo Side Chair, with cane-paneled seat and teal blue seat cushion. 38.5" H x 20" W x 21" D; seat: 17.5" H. Provenance: From a Forest Hills Gardens Esta...
Textile, Bamboo, Cane
Sold
H 40 in W 24 in D 24 in
2 Hekman Chinese Chippendale Style Mahogany Spider Back Fretwork Armchairs
Located in Dayton, OH
Two vintage Hekman dining chairs. Made from mahogany featuring Chinese Chippendale styling with fretwork backs and serpentine arms. Hekman, Grand Rapids Michigan, 6-3146. 40" h x ...
Fabric, Mahogany
Sold
H 41 in W 20.5 in D 21.5 in
Mid-Century Chinese Chippendale Style Carved Pagoda Dining Side Chairs - S/4
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a set of four carved fruitwood Chinese Chippendale style side chairs with carved pagoda and fretwork backs. The legs are also nicely carved with a Ming style form. They are u...
Upholstery, Fruitwood
Set of 4 Chinese Chippendale Chairs With Table
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a very good example of a mid-20th century cast aluminum patio suite consisting of four Chinese Chippendale side chairs and table. The four chairs are finely detailed cast alu...
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Refinished burnt Rattan Cane Side Arm Chairs-Pair
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
Add a touch of tropical Coastal elegance to your space with these exquisite vintage refinished rattan side arm chairs. Crafted with sturdy rattan frames, these chairs feature intrica...
Rattan
Sold
H 41.5 in W 21.5 in D 21 in
Mid-Century Chinese Red Chippendale Style Pagoda Side / Dining Chairs - S/4
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a set of four Chinese red Chippendale style pagoda form side chairs. They are unmarked and most likely are American. The frames are in good sha...
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 36 in W 19 in D 20 in
Set Of 4 Chinese Chippendale Faux Bamboo Dining Or Occasional Side Chairs
By Henredon
Located in Southampton, NJ
A beautiful set of 4 faux bamboo side chairs in the Chinese Chippendale style having new upholstery and seat strapping along with solid carved wood frames. In excellent condition and...
Mohair, Nylon, Faux Bamboo
Sold
H 36 in W 19 in D 20 in
Vintage Chinese Chippendale Faux Bamboo Gold Gilt Hollywood Regency Side Chairs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinese Chippendale Faux Bamboo Gold Gilt Hollywood Regency Side Chairs - a Pair. Item features solid wood frames, dist...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 36.5 in W 18.5 in D 20 in
Pair of Ebonized Faux Bamboo Chinese Chippendale Style Occasional Chairs
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A charming pair of faux bamboo Chinese Chippendale style chairs in a distressed ebonised finish with deep red velvet fabric seat. A pair of chairs of good character, these vintage e...
Velvet, Faux Bamboo
Wicker and Bamboo Side Chairs, c. 1930-1940
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a unique set of 4 Bamboo and Wicker Chinese Chippendale Side Chairs that most probably date to c 1930-1940. The chairs, although iconic in form, feature leopard/oil spot bamboo frames and wicker seats which are finely wrapped in rattan at their joints and surrounding the woven wicker seats. The chairs are beautifully designed and detailed and are in overall very good sturdy condition with a few scattered losses to the rattan wrap-- the rattan wrap is being restored (additional photos will soon be posted). They chairs bear their original English manufacturer's tag. A set of rattan chair...
Bamboo, Rattan, Wicker
Chinese Chippendale Armchair
Located in Memphis, TN
An unusual and striking Chinese Chippendale Armchair in mahogany with beautiful fretwork and carving to the back, arms and stretcher. Recently refi...
Mahogany
Sold
H 36.5 in W 23.5 in D 22 in
Ebonised Faux Bamboo Chinese Chippendale Style Chair with Red Velvet Seat
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A charming faux bamboo Chinese Chippendale style chair in a distressed ebonised finish with deep red velvet fabric seat. A lovely individual chair of good character, this 1970s exam...
Faux Bamboo
Sold
H 37 in W 22.25 in D 20.5 in
Pair, Faux Bamboo Chinese Chippendale Armchairs Fabric Upholstery McGuire Style
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of McGuire Style faux bamboo Chinese Chippendale armchairs in fabric upholstery. The chairs are firm, sturdy and very c...
Faux Bamboo, Fabric
Sold
H 29 in W 32 in D 32 in
1960's French Style Game Table with Four Caned Chairs by Heritage Furniture
Located in Southampton, NJ
Classic mid century French style faux bamboo game table & four caned shield back chairs by Heritage Furniture. Exquisite lithe lines in the splayed legs design, chairs having new sea...
Upholstery, Walnut
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