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.
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
$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
$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
$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, 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
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
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
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
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
Antique Chinese Chippendale or Boho Styled Faux Bamboo Accent or Side Chair
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This vintage Chinese Chippendale or Bohemian styled accent chair is presumed to have been manufactured in the United States in circa 1950. The frame is done in a sculptured wood to mimic bamboo stalks and covered with a bright honey amber lacquer...
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 Chinese Rosewood Nicely Carved Arm Side Chairs
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of decorative Chinese Asian arm dining chairs.
Rosewood
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
Six Danish Rosewood Dining Chairs
Located in Oakland, CA
Set of six Danish crafted rosewood dining chairs with rich rosewood grain on chair backs, newly upholstered seats in a blue leather. High-quality construction. Professionally restor...
Leather, Rosewood
$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
$2,980 / item
H 33 in W 18 in D 18.3 in
Black Arched Mono Side or Dining Chair in Ebonized Ash by Objects & Ideas
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Inspired by the patterns drawn by aircraft at summer air displays, and conceived primarily as a functional art piece, one single flowing line twists and turns to form the fluid outline of the Mono chair...
Ash
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 19th Century Klismos Chairs
Located in New York, NY
A pair 19th century Danish Klismos chairs. Collected in Copenhagen elegant pair of late 19th century Danish Klismos Chairs. Ebonized hardwood wi...
Hardwood
Early 20th century Regency inspired tufted side chairs/a pair
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a pair of early 20th century Regency inspired side chairs. The side chairs have a hand carved delicate curved column leg with nail heads around the edge. The chairs are uphol...
Fabric, Wood
Pair English Chippendale Mahogany Side Chairs, circa 1890
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Pair of English Chippendale Mahogany side chairs, circa 1890. Outstanding pair of marvelous carved mahogany side chairs in Classic Chippendale style. They are crafted after one of t...
Mahogany
Pair of Baker Neoclassical Style Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
A Classic and handsome pair of baker neoclassical style occasional chairs newly upholstered in a creamy white ecru velvet with black grosgrain detai...
Giltwood, Wood
Pair of 19th C. Sheraton Hitchcock Chairs
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pair of Sheraton style early 19th century Hitchcock chairs with rush seats Scrolled center splats with painted decoration fruit and floral design 16.85 x 18 x 35
Rush, Wood
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
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