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 Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Brass
1960s American Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Rattan, Paint
20th Century Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Bamboo, Cane, Reed, Paint
1780s Chinese Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Kingwood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Italian Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
20th Century Colombian Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Bone
1920s Chinese Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Rosewood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
1770s English Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
20th Century Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century Italian Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood, Mirror
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wicker, Cane, Rattan
19th Century Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Giltwood, Mahogany
Late 20th Century North American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Maple
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool
20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Linen, Wood
Late 19th Century British Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Iron
19th Century English Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
1970s American Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Mirror
20th Century Philippine Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century English Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Upholstery, Faux Bamboo
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Upholstery, Faux Bamboo, Maple
19th Century English Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Leather, Bamboo, Wood, Maple
Mid-20th Century English Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool
1940s Chinese Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Jade
Late 20th Century Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Faux Bamboo
20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
1960s Unknown Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
1960s American Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Aluminum
20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Metal, Brass
20th Century Italian Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
1970s Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany, Glass
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Elm
1970s Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Brass
Mid-18th Century British Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century English Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Lacquer
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool
1970s Philippine Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Rattan, Reed
20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Upholstery, Rattan, Hardwood
Late 18th Century European Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
1890s Chinese Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Composition
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany, Burl
Early 1900s English Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Philippine Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Bamboo, Cane
Late 20th Century Indian Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mahogany
2010s Indonesian Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Mirror, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool, Cotton
20th Century Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Porcelain
1910s Chinese Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool, Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Cotton, Wood
Late 20th Century Asian Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Bamboo, Cane
1950s Tibetan Vintage Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool
19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Wool, Cotton
20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Furniture
Fabric