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.
George III Chinese Chippendale Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Very fine George III mahogany Chinese Chippendale console/serving table, the richly patinated top over blind fretwork carved apron and legs, joined by open fretted brackets and standing on blocked feet...
Mahogany
$8,625Sale Price|25% Off
18th Century English Chinese Chippendale Console Table
Located in Savannah, GA
Classic English Chinese Chippendale mahogany side table with molded top. The banded apron frieze is decorated with chinoiserie fretwork and the upper legs feature pierced corner brac...
Mahogany
19th Century George III Mahogany Silver Table
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century George III mahogany silver table in the Chinese Chippendale style. The pierced corner brackets support unusual cluster column legs and terminate on block feet. The recta...
Mahogany
18th Century Chinese Chippendale Mahogany Silver Table
Located in Dublin 8, IE
18th Century Chinese Chippendale mahogany silver table with gadrooned moulding to the top edge, open fretwork frieze on all four sides and ...
Mahogany
A Mid-18th Century Mahogany Chinese Chippendale Tea Table
Located in London, GB
England, circa 1760 A mid eighteenth century Chinese Chippendale tea table with flame mahogany top, with Chinese fretwork to the frieze ...
Mahogany
19th Century Mahogany Serving Tray
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th century mahogany serving tray Hand made serving tray from solid mahogany with brass hardware. The oval tray has four handles along four drop-down sides. The tray sits a...
Mahogany
19th Century Iron and Marble Top French Pastry Table
Located in San Angelo, TX
A gorgeous 19th century French marble top pastry table featuring old white painted patina on the iron base. This beauty features decorative brass hardware with patina and a white vei...
Marble, Brass, Iron, Wrought Iron
18th Century Chinese Walnut Altar Table
Located in Miami, FL
Walnut double-faced Ming style classic altar table from Shanshi. Circa 18th century.
Bamboo, Elm
18th Century English Oak Console or Serving Table
Located in High Point, NC
18th century oak console table from England. The top has a beveled edge, following down to a hand carved apron with nulling decoration over h...
Oak
English George III Mahogany Butler's Tray Table on Folding Stand
Located in San Francisco, CA
Early 19th century Regency George III period mahogany butler's tray on folding stand. Unusual square shape tray as these are mostly rectangle in shape. Beautiful old patina with ex...
Mahogany
$15,350
H 33.08 in W 45.28 in D 22.84 in
Gustavian Late 18th Century Neoclassical Swedish, White-Painted Console Table
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Carved wood with original white paint, carved giltwood rosettes, original grey white-veined marble top. The rectangular top above a Greek key frieze with applied rosettes on square t...
Marble
Chinese Chippendale Bamboo Console, Altar Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
Large Chinese Export Console in Bamboo, Chinese Chippendale Style, known for its blend of Eastern latticework and Western decorative sensibilities. The table features a patinated bam...
Bamboo
19th Century English Mahogany Butlers Tray Table
Located in Montreal, QC
Mahogany folding butlers tray on stand tray has four folding sides with inset brass hinges. Supported on folding stand with decorative turned supports. The dimensions are with the ...
Mahogany
18th Century English Console
Located in Nashville, TN
This is a 18th century English carpenters work bench. We've cleaned and waxed which high lights the character and age and patina is absolutly amazing. I like to reference this as an ...
Hardwood
19th Century French Henri II Carved Oak Console Table Server
Located in Dallas, TX
Dress a hallway, library, or living space with this elegant antique console table. Crafted in France circa 1870 and measuring nearly five feet in length, the tall, narrow server is b...
Oak
18th Century West Country Painted Potboard Dresser base
Located in Basingstoke, Hampshire
An exceptional 18th century west country potboard dresser base. Raised on charming turned legs, united by an elegantly shaped potboard base. Featuring its original brown paint, displ...
Pine, Paint
$5,750
H 35 in W 64.5 in D 26.5 in
Elegant English George III Mahogany Serving Table in the Adam Style
Located in Milford, NH
An elegant George III mahogany rectangular serving table in the Adam Style, with horizontal reeded frieze and supported by six round straight legs, tapered with panels, terminating w...
Mahogany
18th Century English Chinese Chippendale Style Console Table
By Thomas Chippendale Jr.
Located in Dallas, TX
A large 18th century English Chinese Chippendale style console table has a beautiful solid mahogany top. It is wonderfully decorated on...
Mahogany
Sold
H 20.28 in W 42.72 in D 22.64 in
Restored Hardwood Chinese Chippendale Silver Tea Table Fret Work Carved, Coffee
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this stunning restored antique fret work carved Chinese Chippendale style silver tray table In a modern sense this would...
Hardwood
Maitland Smith Style Chinoiserie Tray Table
Located in Redding, CT
Maitland Smith style Chinoiserie tray table. Olive Green lacquered tray and stand with gold accents and Asian motifs. This item can easily parcel ship for under $100. Please provide ...
Wood, Lacquer
Chinese Chippendale Style Carved Mahogany Silver Table
Located in San Francisco, CA
A good quality late 19th century English mahogany Chinese Chippendale style silver table, the single board top fitted with a pierced gallery above a blind fretwork skirt, supported o...
Mahogany
Sold
H 34 in W 39 in D 20.5 in
Pair Of English Georgian Style Mahogany Side or Console Tables Finely Carved
Located in Stamford, CT
Handsome pair of English Georgian style mahogany side or console tables. Each having a molded serpentine top above a rocaille carved frieze, raised on cabriole legs headed by foliate...
Wood