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.
Southwood Chinese Chippendale Style Upholstered Mahogany Sofa
Located in Astoria, NY
Southwood Chinese Chippendale Style Yellow Fabric Upholstered Mahogany Sofa, label beneath cushion. 38" H x 59" W x 32" D; seat: 20" H. Provenance: From a Park Avenue Collect...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Henredon Camel Back Carved Mahogany Stretcher Base Sofa
By Henredon
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Henredon Camel Back Carved Mahogany Stretcher Base Sofa
Mahogany
1970's Henredon Aged Forest Green Pigskin Leather Chippendale Sofa
By Henredon
Located in Malibu, CA
Henredon Chippendale style light forest green pigskin leather sofa. This vintage sofa in richly aged leather & a naturally textured grain. The hide offers a distinctive patina th...
Leather, Mahogany
$4,995
H 29 in W 94.5 in D 35 in
Vintage MCM to Modern Yellow & Chartreuse Plaid Tuxedo Sofa by Henredon
By Henredon
Located in Topeka, KS
Gorgeous Mid-Century Modern (a.k.a. MCM) to modern tuxedo sofa by Henredon comprised of a fully upholstered frame including three loose seat & three l...
Metal
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
H 34.5 in W 85.75 in D 37 in
Vintage English Georgian Style Camel Back Sofa 20thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
Vintage English Georgian Style Camel Back Sofa 20thC Measures - 34 1/2" x 85 5/8" x 37" An English Georgian style camel back sofa from the 20th century. This piece features a camel...
Upholstery
Thomasville Regency Style Carved Mahogany Camelback Sofa
Located in Oakwood, GA
Thomasville Regency Style Carved Mahogany Camelback Sofa, 87"W Thomasville quality craftsmanship Regency style design Solid carved mahogany exposed frame Dramatic camelback crest rai...
Fabric, Mahogany
English Chippendale Mahogany Needlepoint Sofa, Circa 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
English Chippendale mahogany sofa with serpentine back, flanking scrolled arms, floral needlepoint upholstery, and terminating on car...
Upholstery, Mahogany
English George III Camel Back Sofa, Circa 1770-1790 for Restoration
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Early Camel Back Sofa having rolled arms with brass tack decoration over a rectangular shaped seat raised on stop-reeded mahogany block legs with triple H stretcher supports. Dimen...
Fabric, Wood
Chippendale Style Humpback Sofa by Hickory Furniture
By Hickory Manufacturing Company
Located in Pasadena, TX
this is a wonderfully upholstered sofa by the Hickory Furniture Company. The sofa is called a humpback or camel back sofa. The legs and stretchers are made of mahogany.
Fabric, Mahogany
$6,115 / item
H 32.68 in W 94.49 in D 37.41 in
Minimalist style "Lina" sofa, upholstered fabric, natural wood sides
Located in Alto da Lapa, SP
Alessandra Delgado is passionate about Lina Bo Bardi architectural work, including the project for the Museu de Arte de Sao Paulo - MASP and its structural pillars that seems to hold the building itself in thin air. The use of fine woodwork...
Velvet, Walnut
$4,495
H 29 in W 88.5 in D 32 in
Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Sofa by Henredon w/Chinese Red Floral Brocade
By Henredon
Located in Topeka, KS
Stunning vintage Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie sofa by Henredon with Chinese red floral Brocade fabric & button tufted detail, single loose poly wrapped foam seat cushion, rolled arms, pleated skirt, and straight square slightly tapered wood legs. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear even if it has been refinished or restored. Specifically, No outstanding flaws noticed. Please see photos, zoom in for details, and see long description as they are part of the condition report. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, Mid-20th Century. Is there anything quite as MAGNIFICENT as a Henredon piece? We think NOT! Especially when it’s a piece as incredible as this vintage Henredon red floral sofa...
Fabric, Foam, Polyester, Wood
$1,960Sale Price|20% Off
H 34.5 in W 80 in D 31.5 in
Vintage J. M. Walton Queen Anne Camel Back Upholstered Sofa 20thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Reduced Delivery Rates - See Below or Click “Ask The Seller” to Request a Quote*** Vintage J. M. Walton Queen Anne Camel Back Upholstered Sofa with Scroll Form Arms and Raised on...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Zoe Upholstered Custom Sofa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing the Zoe, a classic and timeless custom sofa that brings elegance and comfort to any living space. Its clean lines and plush cushions offer...
Fabric
$2,096Sale Price|20% Off
H 39.38 in W 43.31 in D 23.04 in
Outstanding Antique Victorian Carved Mahogany Sofa
Located in Suffolk, GB
Outstanding antique Victorian carved mahogany sofa with a beautifully expertly carved shaped back framed in mahogany which comes forward to a lovely carved shaped arms. It stands on ...
Other
Chinese Chippendale Style Upholstered Settee
Located in Astoria, NY
Chinese Chippendale Style Geometric Leaf Upholstered Settee, on walnut legs with three cushions. 34" H x 43" W x 32" D; seat: 17.75" H. Provenance: From a New York City Collection....
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 34.5 in W 74.5 in D 30 in
English Chinese Chippendale Style Linen & Mahogany Camelback Sofa -Hickory Chair
By Hickory Chair Furniture Company
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is an English Chinese Chippendale style camelback sofa upholstered in an old world linen with a carved mahogany frame manufactured by Hickory Chair Co the linen upholstery is in...
Linen, Mahogany
Vintage Hickory Chair Chinese Chippendale Camelback Faux Bamboo Sofa
By Hickory Chair Furniture Company
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chic Palm Beach regency sofa designed and crafted in a Chinese Chippendale form with rolled arms and a camelback featuring faux bamboo front legs with Asian brackets paint decorated ...
Faux Bamboo
Vintage Regency Chinese Chippendale Wood Frame Sofa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fantastic vintage Regency wood frame sofa. A chic Chinese Chippendale frame with an upholstered bench seat. Fretwork trim detail along the edg...
Wood
Sold
H 35 in W 70.5 in D 28 in
Vintage Metal Newly Powder-Coated Patio Sofa Faux Bamboo Chippendale Sunbrella
By Brown Jordan
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Beautiful vintage 1970's metal, faux bamboo, Chinese Chippendale, fret outdoor patio sofa. This has been professionally powder-coated in white. All...
Metal
Chinese Chippendale Style Camelback Sofa by Hickory Chair with Fretwork
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a late 20th century Chinese chippendale style sofa by Hickory Chair. It has classic styling that makes it a timeless piece. The frame is carved mahogany. It is marked, with m...
Upholstery, Mahogany
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
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
English Chinoiserie Chippendale Style Pagoda Top Settee
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Indulgent English Chinese Chippendale style settee or sofa decorated in the chinoiserie revival style with a pagoda top. Features an open fretwork design on...
Linen, Down, Lacquer, Wood
Chinese Chippendale Style Carved Mahogany Camelback Sofa
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome Chinese Chippendale style camel back or hump back sofa featuring a carved mahogany frame. Beautifully decorated with scrolls and quatrefoils on the cross stretchers. Support...
Fabric, Mahogany
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. Features a hand-painted gilt frame of floral a...
Linen, Lacquer, Wood
Sold
H 34.5 in W 74 in D 27 in
Chinese Chippendale Faux Bamboo Rattan Sofa Couch Chinoiserie Cushions Vintage
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Great vintage Chinese Chippendale chinoiserie faux bamboo rattan fretwork sofa couch. Hard to find piece. Perfect for inside, outside, porch or sunroom...
Bamboo, Faux Bamboo, Rattan, Upholstery