Chinese Chippendale Furniture
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.
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Rosewood
20th Century Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Glass, Wood
1960s American Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Aluminum
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary English Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
Late 20th Century North American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Maple
Early 20th Century English Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Upholstery, Mahogany
1970s Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany, Glass
20th Century Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
1970s Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Glass, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Brass, Steel
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Brass
1960s East Asian Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Brass
19th Century English Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Bamboo, Lacquer
Late 20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Cane, Lacquer
1980s Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Unknown Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Composition
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Porcelain, Wood
1860s English Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Giltwood
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Bamboo
1950s English Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mirror, Beech
19th Century New Zealand Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Iron
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
1970s Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Bamboo
1960s American Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Aluminum
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Bamboo, Rattan
1840s English Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Clay, Ironstone
1970s Italian Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Faux Bamboo
1880s Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood, Hardwood
19th Century British Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany, Glass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Silk
20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Elm
Mid-20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Slate
Mid-20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Upholstery, Rattan, Hardwood
1960s American Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Rattan, Paint
20th Century Philippine Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Concrete
1880s English Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mirror, Mahogany
1750s English Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
1940s American Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool
Late 18th Century European Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Bamboo, Cane
2010s Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Brass
Mid-19th Century English Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Giltwood, Glass
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century English Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mirror, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Afghan Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool
Mid-19th Century British Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Glass, Mahogany, Upholstery, Faux Bamboo
15th Century and Earlier American Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Brass