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 Late 19thC Chippendale Revival Wing Arm Chairs
Located in Altrincham, GB
Pair of Late 19thC Chippendale Revival Wing Arm Chairs with blue Corduroy upholstery on ball and claw cabriole legs - 31"w x 36"d x 44"h (21" to the seat)
Upholstery, Walnut
Late 20th-C. English Chippendale Style Custom Wingback Chair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a Chinese chippendale style wingback chair with scalloped nailhead trim. The fabric feels like a cotton or cotton linen blend, and it is in a saffron damask. The Chippendale ...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Tall Chinese Chippendale Wingback Arm Chair, Wood, Painted Red, 1960s
Located in Stamford, CT
A statement piece wood fretwork Chinese Chippendale chair painted in Chinese red with caned seat. In very good condition.
Wood
Important Antique circa 1820 Thomas Chippendale Hand Carved Wingback Armchair
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare and highly collectable, early 19th century circa 1820-1840, hand carved wingback armchair with Thomas Chippendale, fretwork carved l...
Upholstery, Hardwood
$2,995 / set
Chinese Chippendale Wingback Armchairs
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Cotton, Wood
Asian Floral Slipcovered Wingback Armchair by Lee Industries
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering one of our recent Palm beach estate fine furniture acquisitions of a Lee Industries...
Linen, Cotton
Erwin-Lambeth Plum Velvet Neo-Chippendale Wing Chair
Located in Chicago, IL
Plum velvet upholstered neo-Chippendale wing chair from Erwin-Lambeth. White satin lacquered frame with open arms. Carved front legs with quatrefoil and el...
Pair Of Exceptional Antique Louis XVI Carved Wing Back Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of wing back chairs with solid and sturdy heavily carved frames with bell flowers, egg/dart and foliate motifs. The chairs with fixed back and seat, manchettes, custom upholster...
Fabric, Wood
19th Century George III Wing Chair
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Early 19th century George III mahogany upholstered wing chair, the shaped back with outscrolled wings raised above padded arms with reeded terminals with flower head motif raised ove...
Beech
Pair of Louis XIII Style Wing Chairs with New Upholstery
Located in Washington, DC
Pair of Louis XIII style wing chairs with new upholstery.
Upholstery, Wood
$1,196Sale Price|20% Off
H 33.5 in W 21 in D 22.5 in
Early 20thc Child's Wing-back Chair and Ottoman With 19thc Linen Upholstery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 20thc Child's Wing-back Chair and Ottoman With 19thc Linen Upholstery. The Entire chair is upholstered with a wonderful aged white linen with a beautiful blue light stripe goin...
Linen, Wood
Mid-20th Century Chippendale Wingback Chairs in Walnut & Damask
By Kindel Furniture, Dunbar Furniture, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Southampton, NJ
Unique Chippendale style pair of chairs with lovely small scale silhouettes, curved stretchers in golden butter Damask upholstery. We love the Georgian design elements in the curved ...
Damask, Walnut
Antique Queen Anne-style Wingback Armchair
Located in San Francisco, CA
On offer is a Queen Anne-style wingback armchair, a classic example of early 18th-century English design. If it looks like it takes you into its arms to cozy you, you would be right....
Textile, Mahogany
$9,800
H 50.5 in W 38 in D 34 in
English Chippendale Mahogany Upholstered Ball & Claw Wing Back Chair, Circa 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
English Chippendale mahogany upholstered wing back chair with serpentine back, flared wings, flanking scrolled arms, removable seat cushion, shell and floral carved knees, and termin...
Suede, Cotton, Upholstery, Mahogany
$989
H 48 in W 36 in D 30 in
Vintage MCM Salterini Patio or Garden Peacock Wrought Iron Wingback Arm Chair
Located in St. Louis, MO
Vintage Salterini patio, porch or garden "Peacock" wrought iron wingback form arm chair. In need of repaint, showing layers of white green and black paint. Inquire for cost to blast,...
Wrought Iron
$5,800 / set
H 42 in W 30 in D 31 in
French Carved Bleached Walnut Wingback Armchairs with Ottomans, 1930s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of French carved bleached walnut wingback armchairs w/ matching ottomans. The chairs and ottomans stand on cabriole legs with rams head feet. The chairs are newly upholstered in...
Linen, Walnut
$2,360Sale Price|37% Off
H 39.5 in W 29.5 in D 24 in
18th century English Georgian Petite Wingback Chair
Located in Savannah, GA
Unusual petite size Georgian ladies wingback chair. Out-scrolled arms supported by walnut cabriole legs. Newly upholstered in silk damask. See measurements below.
Silk, Walnut
$960Sale Price|20% Off
H 45 in W 32.25 in D 32 in
Queen Anne Mahogany Fireside Upholstered Wingback Chair, 20th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
A Queen Anne style fireside wingback chair offers upholstered chair with scroll form arms and raised on mahogany cabriole legs terminating in pad feet, 20th Century. Measures- 45''H...
Mahogany, Upholstery
Sold
H 46 in W 23 in D 24 in
Vintage Century Furniture Wingback Chairs with Bamboo Motif Cotton Upholstery
Located in Centennial, CO
A gorgeous, vintage pair of 1960s century wingback chairs with original bamboo motif upholstery. The wood frames are painted a very pale green with speckling. The cotton upholstery i...
Cotton, Wood, Paint
Sold
H 46 in W 29.5 in D 35 in
Baker Furniture Chinese Chippendale Style Mahogany Wingback Chairs, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a lovely pair of Baker Furniture Chinese Chippendale style wingback chairs. The linen chinoiserie print is in very nice condition with no...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Sold
H 42 in W 25.5 in D 25 in
Pair of Chippendale Style Wingback Chairs in Aluminum with Custom Cushions
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful pair of newly finished / powder coated aluminum Chippendale style chairs with custom cushions. A fantastic addition to the outdoor room, lanai or very suitable for inside...
Aluminum
Sold
H 38.5 in W 28.5 in D 23.5 in
English Chinese Chippendale Mahogany Upholstered Fret Work Arm Chair, C. 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
English Chinese Chippendale Mahogany upholstered arm chair with removable cushion, frontal carved fret work legs, and rear carved splaye...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Sold
H 47.5 in W 35 in D 28 in
Chinese Chippendale Style Ball and Claw Wingback Chairs by Hickory Chair, Pair
By Hickory Chair Furniture Company
Located in Kennesaw, GA
These chairs are Chinese chippendale style ball and claw wingback chairs by Hickory Chair. The blush colored damask does show some age wea...
Damask, Mahogany
Sold
H 41 in W 35 in L 41 in
Beautiful Pair of 19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Mahogany Wing Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful pair of 19th century English mahogany hand carved Chinese Chippendale wing chairs. Covered in a white Muslin with nail heads.
Mahogany
Handsome Pair of Chinese Chippendale Style Wing Chairs
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A nice pair of custom decorator navy and gold stripped wing chairs with mahogany Chinese Chippendale legs. The chairs are a nice size at 30 wide, and ...
Fabric, Mahogany
Baker Chippendale Style Wing Chair in a Fine Fabric with Down Cushion
Located in Stamford, CT
A baker chippendale style wing chair in a fine fabric with down cushion. Lia
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 37 in W 28.25 in D 31 in
Pair of Chinese Chippendale Style Upholstered Mahogany Marlborough Armchairs
Located in Milford, NH
A fine pair of Chinese Chippendale style mahogany Marlborough chairs with nicely foliate carved detail on the arms and legs, as well as pierce carved...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Chinese Chippendale Light Grey or Blue Painted Wood High Back Chair
Located in Atlanta, GA
This Chinese Chippendale style wooden high back chair is painted in the light grey or blue colors. It possesses the typical simple rectilinear outlines of Chinese Chippendale chairs,...
Upholstery, Wood