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.
Chinese Chippendale Mahogany Two Drawer Hanging Wall Shelf
Located in Germantown, MD
A cute Chinese Chippendale Mahogany Two Drawer Hanging Wall Shelf. Very Attractive and functional. Three shelves between open fret work sides for convenient and elegant organizatio...
Mahogany
Pair Of Chinese Chippendale Gilt Mirrored Wall Brackets
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of 19th Century Chinese Chippendale giltwood and plaster mirrored wall brackets. Brackets feature classical Chinese Chippendale style scrolled foliate gilt decoration with mirro...
Mirror, Giltwood
Chinoiserie Pagoda Three Tier Shelf, Wood, Chinese Chippendale Style
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pagoda style three tier shelf. This " what not " can be hung on the wall or placed on a table.
Wood
Chippendale Style Chinoiserie Composition & Hanging Corner Shelf or Bracket
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A Chippendale style Chinoiserie Composition and wood hanging Corner shelf or bracket Polychrome, parcel-gilt and pierced composition upper section with lattice, flowers and pa...
Composition
Mid-Century Chinese Chippendale Style Mahogany Wall Shelf
Located in Germantown, MD
A Mid-Century Chinese Chippendale Style Mahogany Wall Shelf with pierced through fretwork. Measures: 17" W x 7.5" D x 25" H
Mahogany
$100Sale Price|60% Off
33” Chinese Red Silk Macrame Longevity Symbol
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Vintage Chinese 34” large red silk handmade macrame longevity symbol with tassels. Great Wall decor piece.
Silk
Antique Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte Reverse Painting On Glass
Located in Toledo, OH
Reverse painting on glass of Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte (1784-1860) He was Napoleons youngest brother who became king of Westphalia. Some light paint loss. 10.25" x 13.5" framed.
Glass
Pair of Fern Wall Brackets
Located in New York, NY
American, circa 1850-1880. Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), with wire armature and composition ornament, gessoed and gilded. Measures: 14 1/8 in. high, 16 5/16 in. wide (at the sh...
Wood
$1,264Sale Price|20% Off
H 18 in W 30 in D 16 in
Poul Cadovius Cado Teak Wall Shelf Units, 'Three Pieces'
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of three Poul Cado wall units. One is a three drawer cabinet measures - 30"W x 16"D x 18"H One drop down bar cabinet measures - 30"W x 14.5"Dx16H ...
Teak
18th Century English Wall Shelf
Located in High Point, NC
Late 18th century Georgian oak wall shelf with stepped crown molding which has dental detail as well, following down to a lovely hand scalloped apron over four shelves. the shelves a...
Oak
$1,872Sale Price|52% Off
H 10.25 in W 17.63 in D 7.63 in
French Baroque Style Parcel-Gilt Carved Wood Wall Bracket, Sconce, or Shelf
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A large last half of the 19th century French Baroque style stained, painted, and parcel-gilt wall bracket of unusual bisected cornice form having stained chestnut shelf above compoun...
Wood, Giltwood
$1,327Sale Price|32% Off
H 53.94 in W 19.3 in D 1.58 in
19th Century Chinese Silk Tapestries in Bamboo Frames
Located in Oirlo, LI
A set of 19th-century Chinese silk tapestries, woven or embroidered entirely by hand. Left and right represents a fishing village with women and men fishing at the net. Both ba...
Silk, Bamboo
$695 / set
H 7.5 in W 6.5 in D 3.63 in
Pair Mid-Century Venetian Wall Shelf of Gilded Carved Acanthus Italy
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Pair of old petite venetian wall shelves, in gilded carved acanthus. W 6.5 x D 3 5/8 x H 7.5 in
Wood
Franklin Solid Wood Corner Shelf, Walnut
Located in Cincinnati, US
The award nominated Franklin Shelf is a 90 degree corner shelf. This unique design allows for maximum storage space, while occupying a very small area. ...
Wood, Cherry, Maple, Walnut
Adams Shelf Brackets, Black
Located in Cincinnati, US
Simple yet elegant hairpin shelf bracket design that blends with both contemporary or rustic styles and it’s versatile to fit any room of the house. Mad...
Steel
$1,850
H 30.75 in W 28.5 in D 7 in
Antique English Gothic Revival Wall Shelf Carved Oak Hanging Display Rack c1880
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique English Gothic Revival Wall Shelf Carved Oak Hanging Display Rack c1880. Direct from England, a superb and richly carved oak Gothic Revival wall shelf with a bold architectu...
Oak
Olive Green Chinoiserie George III Hanging Corner Cupboard
Located in Chireno, TX
Olive green Chinoiserie George III hanging corner cupboard dating to the late 18th century. In excellent condition. Original dark, olive green painted finish embellished with painted...
Brass, Gold Leaf
$675 / set
H 12 in W 10.75 in D 6.3 in
Pair of Rococo Style Italian Gilt Wall Brackets Shelves, circa 1960
Located in Pearland, TX
A lovely pair of vintage Rococo style Italian gilded resin wall brackets or shelves. These gorgeous brackets are a nice large size decorated with gilt scrolling acanthus leaves, perf...
Resin
Chinese Dragon, Framed Silk Textile Surcoat Embroidery
Located in Soquel, CA
Late 19th century Chinese silk embroidery rank badge textile, with a finely detailed dragon along with other various symbols embro...
Silk
Sold
H 13 in W 12 in D 7 in
Chinese Chippendale Style Carved Fruitwood W/Gilt Accents Wall Brackets - S/2
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of Chinese chippendale style carved fruitwood wall brackets with painted gilt accents and tassels. They most likely date to the later part of the 20th century. They a...
Fruitwood
Antique Chinese Chippendale Giltwood Architectural Fragment
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century Chinese Chippendale giltwood architectural fragment. Piece is made up of leaves and scroll motif with Chinese accents in center. Intricately hand-carved. Fitted with a h...
Giltwood
Pair Of Chinese Chippendale Gilt Mirrored Wall Brackets
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of 19th Century Chinese Chippendale giltwood and plaster mirrored wall brackets. Brackets feature classical Chinese Chippendale style scrolled foliate gilt decoration with mirro...
Mirror, Giltwood
Sold
H 32.75 in W 4 in D 20 in
Vintage Chinese Chippendale Mahogany Mirrored Etagere Shelf Curio Cabinet 33"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Chinese etagere wall shelf curio cabinet featuring Chippendale styling with mirrored back, carved shell top glass door and multiple display she...
Mirror, Mahogany
Period Chinese Chippendale Wall Shelf
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very nice large period carved Mahogany Chinese Chippendale hanging four tier shelf. Very good condition with two original brass hangers on the back of the top shelf.
Mahogany
Sold
H 6 in W 12.25 in D 6.5 in
Chinese Chippendale Style Brass & Wood Decorative Crafts Wall Brackets, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
Timeless appeal! This is a pair of brass and mahogany Chinese Chippendale style wall brackets by Decorative Crafts. The brackets do have a plate rim. They are marked.
Brass
Vintage Chinese Watercolors on Paper, 20th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Chinese hand painted watercolor on paper featuring vibrant floral designs. This piece was acquired from a collector specializing in Chinese art based in Korea and Taiwan. 20t...
Paper, Paint
Chinese Chippendale Style Tole Pagoda Wall Shelf
Located in Kennesaw, GA
These are wonderful. It is a Chinese chippendale style tole and glass painted wall shelf. The frame has both the gilt bells and faux bamboo form. The shelves are glass and are 7.5” w...
Metal
Chinese Chippendale Style Mahogany Hanging Shelf with Two Drawers
Located in San Francisco, CA
A Chinese Chippendale style hanging shelf with elaborate open lattice sides, each shelf with a scalloped front edge, the base with two short drawers decorated with applied fretwork. ...
Mahogany
Pair of Chinese Chippendale Faux Bamboo Iron Etageres
Located in Redding, CT
Pair of Chinese Chippendale faux bamboo iron etageres. Glass shelves included but not photographed. Please request more photos. This bright yellow painted pair, can be changed to any...
Iron
Antique Chinese Silk Embroidered Tapestry
Located in Dallas, TX
Dating from the 1900s, this is one of the most magnificent pieces of antique Chinese silk tapestries. Rendered in an elegant, Classic style, this stunning antique Chinese embroidery depicts a traditional verdure scene. The refreshing variegated tones of blue, brown, beige and green combined with a beautiful perspective creates a tranquil forest and river scene of China. Impeccably embroidered from silk, this antique Chinese tapestry takes on a spirited type of energy – some say “a joie de vivre” meaning to experience the joys of living, loving and playing by getting back to nature. The wear as to be expected is to the silk backing of the design but all of the hand-worked applique is in good condition. The historic worth far exceeds any damage that comes with the wear. In any event, it is simply amazing. If you adore timeworn treasure, this tapestry is a divine find. Explore your interior design options by browsing an exclusive selection of tapestries with Esmaili rugs and antiques...
Silk
Blue and White Painted Chinoiserie Panel
Located in Atlanta, GA
Late 19th Century blue and white oil on board having a chinoiserie scene and in a wooden frame with gilt accents.
Wood