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 Italian Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood, Paint, Lacquer
19th Century English Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Lacquer
1960s American Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Brass
19th Century British Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Porcelain
1880s English Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mirror, Mahogany
20th Century Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany, Burl
Late 20th Century Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century English Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
1960s American Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Slate
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Giltwood
19th Century Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Philippine Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Leather, Wood
20th Century English Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century English Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mirror, Wood
19th Century English Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool
Late 20th Century Italian Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mirror, Wood
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool, Cotton
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Composition
1970s Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Glass, Lacquer
Late 20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
19th Century English Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Leather, Bamboo, Wood, Maple
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
2010s English Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Gesso, Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Faux Leather, Wood, Paint
20th Century English Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Hardwood
20th Century English Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Velvet, Satinwood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Glass, Wood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Cotton, Wood
20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
2010s American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Gesso, Mirror
1930s European Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wrought Iron
Early 19th Century British Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Marble, Slate
1930s Danish Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mirror, Mahogany
19th Century Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Fabric, Wood
1950s English Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Walnut
19th Century Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Walnut
Late 20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Upholstery, Faux Bamboo, Glass, Mahogany
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Bamboo
20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Burl
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Elm
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mirror, Wood