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.
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century British Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
1960s Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wicker, Cane, Rattan, Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Afghan Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Bouclé, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool
1960s Chinese Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool
19th Century English Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Cane, Mahogany
20th Century Italian Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
19th Century European Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Italian Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mirror, Wood
20th Century Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Bone
Late 19th Century German Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood, Mahogany
Early 1900s Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Silk, Hardwood
1970s American Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood, Faux Bamboo
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool
18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Rosewood
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Fabric, Upholstery, Mahogany, Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Cane, Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Unknown Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool, Cotton
19th Century English Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Glass, Giltwood
1950s Tibetan Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool
1920s American Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Walnut
1970s Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Afghan Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
Late 19th Century European Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary English Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-18th Century British Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
1970s Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Upholstery, Rattan
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood, Paint, Lacquer
19th Century English Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
1960s East Asian Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century North American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Linen, Cotton
20th Century English Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Iron
19th Century English Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool
20th Century European Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
1940s American Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
Early 19th Century English Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool