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.
Dragon Carved 1900's English Chinese Chippendale Style English Mahogany Vitrine
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
An extraordinary masterpiece of English cabinetmaking and one of the finest expressions of the Chinese Chippendale movement, this exceptionally rare dragon-carved collector’s cabinet...
Mahogany
Exceptional 19th Century English Chinoiserie Pagoda Display Cabinet
Located in Houston, TX
Large-scale 19th century English display cabinet executed in the Chinoiserie tradition. Constructed in carved mahogany and conceived as a tripartite architectural façade, each glazed...
Glass, Mahogany
Chinese Black Lacquer Round Hexagon Pagoda Top Mother of Pearl Showcase Display
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Chinese Black Lacquer Round Hexagon Pagoda Top Mother of Pearl Showcase Lighted Two Doors Display Cabinet Shelves MINT!
Mother-of-Pearl, Glass, Hardwood
Rare Mahogany Reticulated Carved Chinese Chippendale Etagere China Vitrine
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This Rare Mahogany Reticulated Carved Chinese Chippendale Etagere China Vitrine is a stunning and intricate piece that combines both Chinese-inspired craftsmanship and the elegant de...
Mirror, Mahogany
$32,000 / set
Pair of Chinese Chippendale Mahogany Curio Cabinets
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of English Chinese Chippendale-style (19/20th Century) mahogany curio display cabinets with glass door and pagoda top. (PRICED AS Pair)
Mahogany, Glass
19th Century Chippendale Style Glass Display Case
Located in Houston, TX
Lovely 19th Century Chippendale cabinet featuring wood fretwork, gallery top, four glass lift up doors, three drawers and Verde green silk moire lined inside back. Visit our other 1...
Bronze
Chinese Chippendale Astral Glazed Display Cabinet, Mahogany, 1860
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Chinese Chippendale astral glazed display cabinet This is a very attractive piece, it is made in mahogany, the cabinet has 2 astral glazed doors and i...
Mahogany
Antique Chinese Carved Rosewood with Dragons Vitrine Display Case
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Gorgeous antique Chinese Qing dynasty heavily carved rosewood with dragons 4 tier vitrine or display case.
Rosewood
$2,963Sale Price|24% Off
H 80 in W 42 in D 15 in
American Arch Shape Lucite, Mirror & Oak Wood Vitrine, Showcase, Display Cabinet
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern two piece arched Lucite top Vitrine, showcase, bookshelf made in America 1980 with a blonde Oak Wood Cabinet Base. Features a mirrored Back and 2 tier clear Lucit...
Chrome
$3,995
H 69 in W 48 in D 14 in
Antique Art Nouveau Inlaid Mahogany Display China Cabinet Vitrine Waring Gillow
Located in Portland, OR
A fine, elegant antique Edwardian Art Nouveau display cabinet vitrine, with elements of Sheraton Revival, mahogany with inlaid marquetry, by S. J. Waring of London and Liverpool, cir...
Mahogany, Satin, Glass, Satinwood
19th Mahogany Vitrine-Table in Louis XVI Style
Located in Marseille, FR
Showcase presentation mahogany Louis XVI style dating from late 19th century. Ideal vitrine for the presentation of small trinkets. Richly decorated with...
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Chinoiserie Display Cabinet
Located in Pomona, CA
Late 19th century English chinoiserie decorated display cabinet. The hinged top opens to reveal a remote document storage.
Glass, Wood
$75,500 / set
H 87 in W 119 in D 18 in
Grand Mastercraft Designed Three Part Brass & Glass Vitrines or Curio Cabinets
By Mastercraft
Located in Dallas, TX
Architecturally-inspired this breathtaking three part brass Curved China cabinet set by Mastercraft, inviting drama into any space. Dedicated to c...
Brass
19th Century Chinese Rosewood Vitrine
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century Chinese carved rosewood vitrine featuring drop down glass door, three shelves and bronze key.
Glass, Rosewood
French Kingwood 19th Century Display Cabinet
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality late 19th century French Louis XVI style Kingwood vitrine, having gilded ormolu mounts, serpentine fronted with shaped glass panels, glass shelves within, foliate marq...
Ormolu
French 19th Century Mahogany Louis XVI Style Vitrine
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
We love this Louis XVI style mahogany vitrine from France, crafted during the 1870s, topped with an antique piece of red marble that is surrounded by a pierced brass gallery. Three s...
Metal, Brass
Vintage Mahogany Display Vitrine Cabinet
Located in Pasadena, CA
This elegant vintage mahogany display cabinet has a mirrored back and two glass shelves to exhibit your special treasures. Adorned wi...
Glass, Mahogany
$555
H 53.5 in W 26 in D 14 in
Vernis Martin French Curio Cabinet Bronze Mounts and Hand Painted Panels
By Vernis Martin
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Distressed paint but structurally sound and tight, Vernis Martin vitrine with hand painted panels, bronze mounts and curved glass. Has working lockset & key. Three glass shelves all ...
Bronze
$84,950
H 85 in W 56 in D 19 in
French 19th C. Louis XVI Style Mahogany & Ormolu Mounted Display Cabinet Vitrine
By Adam Weisweiler
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine French 19th century Louis XVI Style mahogany and ormolu mounted two-door display cabinet vitrine, after a model by Adam Weisweiler (French, 1744-1820) with two-doors belo...
Ormolu
Henredon Black Lacquer and Brass Display Cabinets/Vitrines
By Henredon
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Beautiful pair of Henredon lacquer, brass, and beveled glass display cabinets. Each equipt with four adjustable shelves with plate ridge and 3 way adj...
Brass
Kindel Varney & Sons Chinese Chippendale Etagere Pagoda Vitrine
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Kindel Varney & Sons Chinese Chippendale Etagere Pagoda Vitrine Dimensions : 86.5" Tall X 25.5" Wide X 23.25" Deep This vitrine was made ...
Hardwood
Sold
H 76 in W 14 in D 27 in
Chinese Chippendale Syle Vitrines Cabinets Curios by Century Furniture - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
From plates to cosmetics to jewelry, make your special things stand out in these beautiful display pieces by Century Furniture. They have Chinese Chippendale styling and a two tone C...
Glass, Mirror, Wood
A fine 19th c Chinese Chippendale mahogany carved viewing vitrine
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine 19th century Chinese Chippendale mahogany hand carved viewing cabinet
Glass, Mahogany
Chinese Chippendale Style Display Cabinet
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Chinese Chippendale style mahogany display / vitrine cabinet, circa 1900. Made in the Edwardian period. Excellent workmanship throughout, through mullion glass doors, finely dovetail...
Glass, Mahogany
Oriental Tall Mahogany Display Cabinet
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Gorgeous working display cabinet with lightbulbs. Well kept but has minimal damages. Glass shelves are well kept with nice detail.
Mahogany
Sold
H 67.5 in W 24 in D 14 in
Antique Mahogany Chinese Chippendale Pagoda Fretwork Display Curio Cabinet
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Chinese chippendale display curio or vitrine cabinet, circa 1940s. Pagoda form top, carved door opening to interior with two adjust...
Glass, Mirror, Mahogany
Pr Tomlinson Chinoiserie Chinese Chippendale Pagoda Vitrine Cabinets
By Tomlinson
Located in New York, NY
Incredible pair of Tomlinson Pagoda vitrines, in the Chinese Chippendale, Hollywood Regency style. Each cabinet has two swing out door which open to rev...
Glass, Wood
Sold
H 76.5 in W 26 in D 13 in
Chinese Chippendale Style Pagoda Form Cabinets / Vitrines by Century, Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a 1970s pair of Chinese chippendale style pagoda form cabinets by Century Furniture. The finish is original, and the top portions are removable from the bases. They have mirr...
Brass
Maitland Smith Chinese Chippendale Style Tall Display Cabinet Vitrine
Located in West Hartford, CT
Maitland Smith Chinese Chippendale style cabinet has a pagoda shaped top surmounting the one glass door case with latticework over the two-drawer ...
Glass, Mahogany
Sold
H 72 in W 32 in D 21 in
Pair of Exceptional Mahogany Chinese Chippendale Style Display Cabinets, C 1870
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of display/vitrine cabinets in the Chinese Chippendale taste, finely Crafted by a gifted cabinet maker in mahogany. Highly stylized and carved With pagoda carved finials at the front crest of these impressive pieces. Glazed on three sides of the upper section with a front opening to an interior With two glass shelves. One drawer is under the upper section and one shelf Is centered below. Geometric design fret...
Mahogany
Sold
H 121 in W 65 in D 23.5 in
Monumental Ebonized and Parcel-Gilt Cabinet in the Chinese Chippendale Taste
Located in Houston, TX
Monumental replica of Thomas Chippendale’s Kenure cabinet in the Chinese Chippendale taste, With a large open pagoda-form structural crest flanked to either side by smaller like structures, The central section fitted with a single arched door...
Wood
Sold
H 82 in W 58 in D 14 in
Luminous Chinese Chippendale Gilded Gold Pagoda Top China Cabinet Vitrine
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a glamorous and decadently designed cabinet! Layered in pure gold leaf, real gold, not paint! This cabinet cost a lot of money to make and it's lighted with glass shelves so ...
Wood