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 Asian Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Velvet, Bamboo
Late 19th Century Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Bamboo, Birdseye Maple, Satinwood
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool, Cotton
20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Faux Bamboo
1970s Chinese Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Velvet, Bamboo
1940s French Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Faux Leather, Walnut
Mid-19th Century British Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Brass
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
20th Century Unknown Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Rosewood
Late 20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Afghan Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Brass
1940s American Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool
20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Hardwood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool
19th Century Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Porcelain
1980s Thai Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Porcelain
1950s Unknown Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
19th Century English Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Giltwood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Late 20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Metal
19th Century New Zealand Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Concrete
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century English Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
19th Century English Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Cotton, Faux Bamboo, Foam, Polyester, Mahogany
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Mid-20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool, Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
1960s American Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Rattan, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
1950s English Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mirror, Beech
1930s European Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wrought Iron
18th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
Early 20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century English Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Upholstery, Mahogany
19th Century English Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Bamboo, Wood
Late 19th Century German Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood, Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Cane, Lacquer
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Jade
21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool
Late 20th Century Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century English Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Afghan Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool
1970s American Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Fabric, Bamboo, Wood
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Giltwood
2010s English Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Gesso, Wood
1780s Chinese Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Kingwood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Glass, Mahogany, Upholstery, Faux Bamboo