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Chinese Chippendale Secretaires

CHINESE CHIPPENDALE STYLE

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.

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Style: Chinese Chippendale
Mid-Century English Pine Chinese Chippendale Style Carved Pine Secretary Desk
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mid-century Chinese Chippendale style carved pine secretary. It is purported to be English, and it has glass shelves. The drawers do have dovetail construction, and it is t...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Chinese Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Mid-Century Chinese Chippendale Style Ball and Claw Secretary by Biggs Furniture
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a classic piece! It is a Chinese Chippendale style mahogany secretary by Biggs Furniture. It is very good condition with ball and claw feet and brass hardware.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Chinese Chippendale Style English Bamboo Slanted Lift-Top Secretary Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning Hand Crafted English Chinese Chippendale Bamboo Secretary. This handsome and special Secretary has two top facing doors and a Middle "cubby Hole" opening for Books, small decorative pieces, etc., The tilt top Desk...
Category

19th Century English Antique Chinese Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Bamboo, Wood, Maple

English Chinese Chippendale Style Bamboo Secretary with Slanted Lift-Top Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English Chinese Chippendale style tall bamboo secretary from the 19th century, with slanted lift-top writing table, doors and drawers. Created in England during the 19th century, this bamboo secretary charms us with its slender proportions and exquisite Chinese Chippendale influence. The overhanging desk opens...
Category

19th Century English Antique Chinese Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Bamboo, Wood

Semi Antique Mahogany Secretary On Chinese Chippendale Style Stand
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Provenance: Sotheby's NY. The secretary with a drop front in the form of three drawers but opening to drawers and cubby holes. With a black tooled writing surface. The stand with two...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Brass

English Chinese Chippendale Style Lattice Design Secretary
Located in Queens, NY
English Chinese Chippendale style (19th century) carved mahogany lattice design secretary with gilt eagle pediment.
Category

19th Century Antique Chinese Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Giltwood

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English Satinwood Adams Inlaid Secretary Desk Vitrine Top with Inkwells
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For customers that require professional insured delivery we are proud to have teamed up with a nationwide professional delivery company that will assist with coordinating your delivery needs! They offer a reasonable flat-rate fee for delivery and set up to the ground floor of your home. They deliver to the vast majority of the lower 48 states. They offer a flat rate for most of our items with exclusions for the largest or most complex items such as breakfronts or crystal chandeliers or other items of greater complexity. For those items please ask for a shipping quote prior to purchase as these rates are different from our stated pricing. For those items please ask for a shipping quote prior to purchase. Most deliveries to the East Coast will be 295.00, to the mid-west and Southern mid-west 395.00. To the areas west of Kansas 495.00 and the farthest points to the West coast will be 595.00. Again, some areas we can't cover, however we can deliver to most of the lower 48 states so please inquire to be sure! Delivery times range from as fast as 1-4 weeks for the east coast to 5-9 weeks to the farthest areas of the west coast, sometimes longer and sometimes even shorter. If it is a time sensitive purchase, we may be able to accommodate you for a higher price. It is our goal to please each and every one of our customers with the highest standard of service possible. You must realize and accept that we are shipping antique, vintage and quality used furnishings to your home. We cannot control traffic, weather, and acts of God. There will be times when additional patience will be necessary. This fantastic English satinwood desk is in very good antique condition with fantastic beveled glass, superb satinwood, mixed woods inlay and a great antique denim...
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Chinese Chippendale secretaires for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Chinese Chippendale secretaires for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage secretaires created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, mahogany and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Chinese Chippendale secretaires made in a specific country, there are England, Europe, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original secretaires, popular names associated with this style include Biggs Furniture, and John Widdicomb. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for secretaires differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,900 and tops out at $32,000 while the average work can sell for $4,125.

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