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 Giltwood Faux Bamboo Stool
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
English Chinese Chippendale style gilded faux bamboo stool from the mid-19th century, its square crown seat with canted corners upholstered with a leopard print cut velvet in orange ...
Upholstery, Wood
Chinese Chippendale Style Faux Bamboo Stool
Located in Sheffield, MA
English Chinese Chippendale style gold painted faux bamboo stool with red silk upholstered top is from the mid 20th century. Created in England during the midcentury period, the upho...
Wood
$1,155 / item
White Chinese Chippendale Counter Stool
By Bramble
Located in Westwood, NJ
The counter stool presents a timeless interpretation of classic Chinoiserie design, defined by its geometric fretwork back and sculptural faux bamboo frame. Shown in our distressed W...
Fabric, Wood
Chinese Chippendale Style Rattan / Bamboo Ottomans / Tables in Blue & White, 3
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a fun set! It is a set of three Chinese chippendale style ottomans or side tables in a new striped upholstery. They are in very good vintage condition. The tops are not attac...
Upholstery, Rattan
English Chinese Chippendale Style Faux Bamboo Stool with New Upholstery
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English Chinese Chippendale style faux bamboo stool with X-Form base and new upholstery. Created in England, this stool features a rectangular upholstered seat secured with a bras...
Brass
Chinese Chippendale Style Carved Mahogany Stool
Located in Lymington, GB
A sophisticated blind-fret carved mahogany stool in the Chinese Chippendale style. 19th century. In excellent condition throughout, of good colour and sturdy in the joints. L: 55 c...
Mahogany
$550
H 17.5 in W 21.5 in D 14.1 in
Mid-Century Modern Lucite Waterfall Bench Stool With Faux Snake Skin Upholstery
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Lucite stool with faux snake skin upholstery. Elegant and chic, this gleaming lucite stool is attributed to Hollis Jones. Original chrome-plated casters, the lucit...
Upholstery, Lucite
$1,412
H 14.57 in Dm 16.15 in
Franco Albini Midcentury Rattan and Bamboo Round Ottoman Stool, Italy 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous mid-century round bamboo & wicker stool. Franco Albini designed this piece in Italy during the 1960s. The pouf features a beautiful combination of curved bamboo, rattan a...
Bamboo, Rattan, Wicker
Lamby Stool
Located in Paris, FR
Stool Lamby with solid wood structure, upholstered with foam and covered with removable polar fabric.
Foil
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool This White Oak Chile Counter Stool is beautifully constructed from solid wood...
Wood, Oak
Hexagonal Tripod Stool
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stubby wooden hexagonal stool, made in France, circa 1950s. Thick seat with three rounded legs. No nails or hardware. Great lines and shape. Petite stoo...
Wood
Mid Century Alpaca White Faux Fur Stool, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stool from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful white faux fur white upholstery. The stool consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, char...
Velvet, Beech
$7,500 / set
H 15 in W 28 in D 28 in
Rare Roche Bobois “Mah Jong” Style Floor Pillowtop Ottoman Stools, Set of 2
By Roche Bobois
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
These extremely rare mid century and stylish original upholstered ottomans are packed with personality! Outstanding design is exhibited throughout.. Their beautiful and square shape ottomans feature a comfortable design. The pieces are so stunning and versatile. This beautiful pair of colorful and vibrant Roche Bobois Mah Jong style elements by Hans Hopfer are from the earlier years of the design in the 1970s.They are ideal as a pair of large floor cushions...
Textile, Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Claw Foot Stools in the style of Thomas Chippendale
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A carved mahogany, upholstered stool in the mid Georgian manner with shell carved knees, acanthus decoration and hairy paw feet. We are currently working to a 30-36 week lead time.
Wood
$1,800 / item
H 26 in W 18 in D 18 in
Bertu Counter Stool, Cicely Modern Sheepskin Counter Stool, White Oak
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Counter Stool, Cicely Modern Sheepskin Counter Stool, White Oak This Modern Cicely Counter Stool with Sheepskin Seat is beautifully con...
Sheepskin, Wood, Oak
$470 / set
H 14.97 in W 21.66 in D 13.78 in
Set of Two Faux Leather Brown Vintage Stools, Edmund Homa, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stools from the turn of the 1960s. Beautiful brown high quality faux leather. The stools consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic o...
Fabric
Mushroom Ottoman in Mustard Boucle
Located in Fairfield, CA
A handmade mushroom shaped ottoman, upholstered in a mustard yellow colored curly boucle fabric. Perfect for using as a footstool or extra occasional seating. A comfortable cushioned...
Fabric
Mushroom Ottoman in Orchid Boucle
Located in Fairfield, CA
A handmade mushroom shaped ottoman, upholstered in an orchid colored curly boucle fabric. Orchid is a muted purple color. Perfect for using as a footstool or extra occasional seating...
Fabric
Sold
H 40.5 in W 22 in D 20 in
Set of Four Faux Bamboo Mahogany Chinoiserie Asian Style Mid-Century Bar Stools
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Southampton, NJ
A beautiful set of 4 hand carved mahogany Asian style barstools in the manner of the Edward Wormley for Dunbar "China" chair having newly upholstered Simili leather seats with fresh ...
Brass, Steel
Vintage Chinese Chippendale coastal bamboo cowhide upholstery stool
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a mid 20th century coastal bamboo cowhide upholstered stool. The stool has an antiqued French gray finish at the surface with natural brown cowhide upholstery at the top. Thi...
Bamboo
Chinese Chippendale Stool Ottoman Footrest by Erwin Lambeth c. 1970's
Located in New York, NY
Great decorative stool in the Chinese Chippendale style, made by Erwin Lambeth, circa 1970's. The stool is in very good, original condition, showing only light cosmetic wear, normal...
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 41 in W 16.5 in D 19.75 in
Vintage Chinese Chippendale Yellow Faux Bamboo Cast Aluminum Barstool Stool
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinese Chippendale Yellow Faux Bamboo Cast Aluminum Barstool. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 41" H x 16.5" W x 19.75" D x 29.5" S...
Aluminum
Sold
H 42 in W 20.5 in D 17.5 in
Vintage Coastal Ballard Dayna Chinese Chippendale Bar Stools - Set of 3
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A chic set of three vintage Coastal bar stools. The classic Dayna barstools from Ballard Designs. A beautiful pale green in a matte finish. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate.
Wood
Pair of Chinese White Elephant Ceramic Garden Stools Plant Stands
Located in West Hartford, CT
Vintage pair of chinoiserie style white elephant ceramic garden stools with intricate carved detail all around. Use as a garden seat, plant stand or s...
Ceramic
English Chinese Chippendale Faux Bamboo Stool
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Lovely English Chinese Chippendale faux bamboo stool with a newly upholstered top. From a local Palm Springs estate, this piece h...
Oak
Chippendale Style Painted Rattan Footstool
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The rattan stool in white with black speckled paint overall. The curved legs in a chinoiserie openwork rattan style and center X stretcher with turned finial. The seat upholstered in...
Rattan
Sold
H 18 in W 16 in L 18 in
Chinese Chippendale Fretwork Square Pink Upholstered Stools Ottoman, a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinese chippendale carved fretwork square pink upholstered stools ottoman - a pair. Item features pink upholstered square box seat...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 18.5 in W 18 in D 14 in
Pair of English Chinese Chippendale Style Faux Bamboo Stools with Leather Tops
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of English Chinese Chippendale style walnut faux bamboo stools from the mid 20th century, with leather tops. Created in England during the midcentury period, each of this pair...
Leather, Faux Bamboo, Walnut
Sold
H 17.5 in W 18 in D 18 in
Chinese Chippendale Style 1840s English Gilt Faux Bamboo Stool with Tiger Fabric
Located in Atlanta, GA
A small English Chinese Chippendale style gilded faux bamboo stool from the mid-19th century, with new tiger print upholstery, splaying legs, intricate apron and cross stretcher. Cre...
Faux Bamboo
Sold
H 19.5 in W 13 in D 13 in
English 1840s Chinese Chippendale Style Gilt Faux Bamboo Stool with Tiger Fabric
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English Chinese Chippendale style gilt faux bamboo stool from the mid-19th century, with new tiger print upholstery, saber legs and cross stretcher. Created in England during the ...
Faux Bamboo