Chinese Chippendale Cockpen Bench

About This Object

A very decorative triple-chairback settee or bench of rare 'Cockpen' design, inspired by the 'Chinese Chippendale' designs. English, 20th century. 

Why we like it

Rare and unique in this design and size, making it perfect as a bedroom or hallway bench.

Design

This particular form of fretted-trellis chair-back known as a 'Cockpen chair' became popular from the second half of the 18th century. Initially it was the overwhelming interest in chinoiserie promoted by William Chambers' Designs of Chinese Buildings (1757) and Charles Over's Ornamental Architecture in the Gothic, Chinese and Modern Taste (1758), subsequently followed by designs for Chinese lattice-style chair backs with straight legs by the celebrated London cabinet-maker, Thomas Chippendale (d.1779), published in The Gentleman and Cabinet Maker's Director (1762), plates XXV and XXVII, that made such chairs fashionable. The name 'Cockpen' entered the vernacular in the 19th century and seems to originate from Cockpen Church, Midlothian, where similar chairs were made for the family pew of the Earls of Dalhousie.

An almost identical settee was sold at Bonhams, London, 25 February 2025 (£5,632).

Dimensions

Width: 49 cm / 19.25”
Depth: 176.5 cm / 66”
Height: 76 cm / 30”
Seat height: 44 cm / 17.25”